Orlando Pirates bid farewell to Riveiro after coaching tenure of triumphs and trials

Orlando Pirates celebrate after winning the MTN8 during the MTN8, Final match between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Alche Greeff/Gallo Images)

By Yanga Sibembe

13 May 2025

Jose Riveiro brought back the smiles of Orlando Pirates supporters through a bounty of trophies. However, over the past month there has been little to smile about in Orlando.

On Monday Pirates confirmed that coach José Riveiro would not be on the bench for their final four Premiership matches — their clash against Golden Arrows on 13 May will be his swansong. This brings down the curtain on one of the most memorable and successful coaching tenures in South African soccer history.

“José approached us a few weeks ago with a request to be released from his contract ahead of schedule, having signed with a new club,” said Pirates chairperson Irvin Khoza.

“Given the timing, amid a series of crucial fixtures, we believed it was best to delay this announcement until after the Nedbank Cup final. His contribution since joining the club has been immense. We learned a lot from him and he learned a lot from us,” said Khoza.

“While we would have preferred to formally honour him with a proper send-off, we fully respect his decision to depart before the end of his tenure.”

The impact of Riveiro

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness.” That’s how Orlando Pirates supporters would describe Spanish coach Riveiro’s final season at the helm of the Soweto giants.

The season started off well enough as the Buccaneers won the MTN8 for the third consecutive season. Mind you, prior to Riveiro’s arrival the team had only won one major trophy in six years. So, to win three trophies in three seasons was already an impressive feat.

With that MTN8 success, there was an air of optimism that after finishing as runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns in the last two seasons, the 2024/25 campaign would see the Sea Robbers make this league race much more competitive than it’s been in recent years.

They’ve certainly been much better this season, with improved consistency, something that was a major weakness in seasons past. The Buccaneers are also on track to topple their highest points tally in the new millennium (61 points). A haul of 10 points from their final five matches would see them reach this milestone.

Despite the Buccaneers’ best efforts, Sundowns will be crowned South African champions for an eighth consecutive season. They need just one point from their last two games to seal the deal.

Cairo and Cup calamities

Outside of the gains made in the league marathon, Pirates will be disappointed with how they were eliminated by the Pyramids in the Champions League last four. Having drawn 0-0 at home, Pirates went to Cairo on 25 April knowing that a drawn score would suffice for them to reach the final. This is due to the away goals rule.

Pirates twice took the lead, which they relinquished just as many times before the Pyramids killed the game off for a 3-2 win at home.

Due to the nature of the defeat, speculation was rife that the announcement by Pirates that their Spanish coach would not be renewing his contract at the end of this season had affected the team.

During that match in Egypt, the Sea Robbers certainly seemed to be switched off, distracted. The demons of poor game management that had haunted them in their previous two campaigns came to forefront once more.

In spite of the disappointing conclusion to their African adventure, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Pirates and Riveiro could still separate on a high by winning the Nedbank Cup, where they were poised to battle bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

Riveiro during the CAF Champions League quarterfinal, second leg match between Orlando Pirates and MC Alger at Orlando Stadium on 9 April 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Daniel Hlongwane / Gallo Images)

Orlando Pirates celebrate winning the MTN8 after beating Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 5 October 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo: Alche Greeff / Gallo Images)

Surely, with their record of five finals and five trophies in three seasons, they could do it one more time. Especially since they were meeting a Chiefs team that was struggling for consistency and had not won a major trophy in 10 years.

In his pre-match press conference for the Cup final, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi downplayed the impact of Pirates publicising Riveiro’s departure before the end of the season, with so much still to play for.

“We don’t enter in that space where what happens outside the field affects what will happen on the field,” said Ncikazi.

Nevertheless, the Sea Robbers were defeated 2-1 over the weekend in the Cup final, as Chiefs finally ended their 10-year drought. The loss once again raised the question of timing regarding Riveiro’s exit announcement.

Adiós José

Now Riveiro will not even be staying until the end of the season, as initially announced. The club has granted him an early release from his contract so that he can join the club he is leaving Pirates for. Widespread reports indicate that this will be Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Orlando Pirates for allowing me the opportunity to leave before the end of my contract,” Riveiro said. “As someone who has never found goodbyes easy, this moment is particularly emotional for me. I am deeply grateful to everyone at the club.”

Pirates supporters will remember their time with Riveiro with much fondness — it was the best of times. But the events of the last month will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the Sea Robbers’ faithful; it’s been the worst of times. DM

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DM is much better if you are signed in...

South Africa

The impact of Riveiro

Cairo and Cup calamities

Adiós José