Jose Riveiro’s Al Ahly future in doubt after poor Club World Cup showing

New Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro appears to be in trouble already after the club’s poor showing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

According to reports from Egypt, the former Pirates boss has been summoned to a meeting with chairman Mahmoud El Khatib to explain the team’s poor performance in the United States.

After holding Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to a goalless draw in the tournament opener two weeks ago, the Egyptian giants followed that up with a 2-0 loss to Palmeiras and a 4-4 draw against FC Porto. As a result, they finished bottom of Group A with just two points and were eliminated.

As a result of the early elimination, Riveiro and sporting director Mohamed Youssef will meet with the chairman when they land back in Egypt, according to a YSScores report.

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Ahmed Shober, a football journalist in Egypt, has warned the club against firing Riveiro so soon after appointing him and said it would be an “administrative blunder” if they went ahead and dismissed the Spaniard.

The report further states that Al Ahly's players were due to be given an 18-day break before returning to pre-season training, but they could now be facing punishment for their supposed poor performance in the US.

Riveiro joined Al Ahly after three successful seasons with Orlando Pirates. In his time with the Buccaneers, the club won three MTN8 titles, as well as two Nedbank Cups.

Despite the club struggling to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns in the league, Riveiro was a popular figure at the club and was highly regarded by fans and players.

Earlier this week, Pirates moved on from the Riveiro era and appointed Abdeslam Ouaddou, formerly of Marumo Gallants, as their new head coach.

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