MYSTERY MAN Jose Riveiro's enigmatic remarks on his future as Orlando Pirates coach fuel ongoing speculation, while his successful tenure with the team continues to impress fans and pundits alike. Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
Whether Jose Riveiro was apparently aiming to clarify or fuel more speculation about his future as Orlando Pirates coach is up for debate, but what’s certain is that he is well on his way to becoming a master of mystery.
Earlier this week it emerged that Riveiro could be on his way when his contract is up for renewal at the end of the season.
Under Riveiro, Pirates have challenged strongly for the Betway Premiership title as Mamelodi Sundowns are still favourites to win their eighth league title in a row. That's in stark contrast to when Riveiro arrived at the club, when Pirates fans dubbed him 'The Plumber' since his credentials and ability as a leader of the Soweto side were questioned.
As it stands, Pirates are 15 points behind Sundowns, but the Soweto Giants have four games in hand.
Since joining Pirates in June 2022, Riveiro has led the club to two runner-up finishes in the league as well as winning two Nedbank Cup and three MTN8 titles.
Speaking on the Bucs Camp series, Riveiro appeared to only fan the flames of speculation about his future at the club.
“We are facing the last stages of the season and it's normal that when things come to an end, people want to know what's going to happen in the future,” said Riveiro.
“And that's probably something that we all would like to know about our lives. What's going to happen in the future or not?”
Having just said it would be natural for people to want to know their future, he went on to contradict himself.
“I don't want to know, I just want to live in the moment, the next training, the next game, the next opportunity to do what I like, to do what I love, which is to be the Orlando Pirates coach right now.
“Football is something that is totally unexpected and difficult to predict and to know where we are going to find ourselves in a space of one month, or four months, or six, or one year. So let's rock for now.”
Whether Riveiro stays or goes, right now, is anybody’s guess.
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