Orlando Pirates' coaching vacancy: The top contenders to replace Jose Riveiro

Jose Riveiro took charge of his last Orlando Pirates game on Tuesday night as the club ran Golden Arrows off the park in Soweto.

The 3-0 win was the perfect way for Riveiro to end his tenure as Pirates coach. In three years, he delivered three MTN8 titles, and two Nedbank Cups. They could have won a third consecutive Nedbank Cup last weekend, but were beaten in an entertaining final by Kaizer Chiefs.

Now, with Riveiro gone, the club will be tasked with finding his successor.

IOL Sport takes a look at the men who could be given the job and charged with mounting a challenge to unseat Mamelodi Sundowns as the undisputed kings of South African football.

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The favourites

Rulani Mokwena – The former Sundowns coach is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment, and is seen as the clear favourite to succeed Riveiro. Mokwena recently ended his tenure as Wydad Casablanca coach after an unsuccessful season, and the project to make Orlando Pirates great again could appeal to him. Mokwena signing for Pirates would be a homecoming of sorts. His uncle Jomo Sono is widely regarded as the greatest player to wear the black and white jersey, while his father Julius “KK” Sono is also a club legend.

Pitso Mosimane – Mosimane, also a former Sundowns coach, knows how to win. If Pirates want to not only conquer South Africa, but also the continent, then appointing one of the most successful coaches in the CAF Champions League would make sense. Mosimane’s pay packet could, however, prove to be a stumbling block

Possible

Mandla Ncikazi – Riveiro’s trusted lieutenant for the last three years could provide the club some continuity going forward. He knows the players, and how they fit into the system, and would be a good option. However, his past struggles as a head coach could count against him.

Benni McCarthy – South Africa’s top international goalscorer is a name that’s been mentioned, however, he’s recently been appointed as the head coach of the Kenya national team. He could burn a few bridges and walk out on Kenya, but chances are he will stick to his contract and turn down any attempts by Pirates to sign him.

Possible out-of-the-box appointments

Bruno Ferry – Who? Congolese club AS Vita Club announced two weeks ago that the Frenchman had left the club, and reports have suggested he’s being considered by Pirates. Could he be Pirates’ next coach? It should be pointed out that Riveiro was also unknown to South Africans when he was appointed, so it could happen.

Fadlu Davids – The Cape Town-born Maritzburg United legend is currently the head coach of Simba SC in the Tanzanian Premier League, and they’re pushing champions Young Africans in the title race. They are also in the final of the CAF Confederation Cup. Davids is no stranger to Orlando Pirates. He spent some time with the Soweto giants as assistant coach, and later worked alongside Ncikazi as co-coach.

Possible, but unlikely

Gavin Hunt – The former SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs coach is currently without a job after being sacked by the former earlier this season. Hunt is one of the most successful coaches in South African football having won league titles with Matsatsantsa and the now defunct Bidvest Wits. However, at 60 years old, Hunt could be thinking about retirement after a stressful season with SuperSport United.

IOL Sport