Jose Riveiro: Thanks for the memories, Orlando Pirates

Jose Riveiro is leaving Orlando Pirates having earned himself legendary status, but he admits that if it wasn’t for hard work, he wouldn’t have made that lasting impression.

Riveiro sat on the bench for his last match as the coach of Pirates when they beat Golden Arrows 3-0 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, on Tuesday night.

That perfect end to Riveiro’s stint at the club was coupled with a handful of fans who braved the chilly Johannesburg weather to bid their ‘padre’ (father) farewell.

Riveiro requested an early release from his contract, which was granted by the club, after already deciding against renewing his deal at the end of June.

He leaves Pirates as a legend not only due to the five trophies he won and three successive second-place finishes in the Premiership, but the lives he touched as well.

The Spaniard believed in the club’s youngsters as he integrated them into the team – a feat that alongside the winning mentality, made the Ghost happy people again.

As he made his farewell speech to the club’s supporters and did a last lap of honour around Orlando Stadium, emotions ran high on the field and in the stands.

But after catching his breath following all the pleasantries, Riveiro addressed the media for the last time as the Buccaneers coach, revealing what it took for him to endear himself to Pirates’ faithful.

“I am not a former football player. I am coming from the very bottom, and when I tell you the very, very bottom is the very bottom,” Riveiro said.

“I started coaching in the lowest division in my country until I sat here. During that process, I have to do a lot to manage to be at the level I am at right now.

“That process humbled you, and taught you how difficult it is to achieve things in life when you start from the bottom.

“When you are thankful and appreciative of all those things, you can manage to be the way I am – (and that’s) the personality I have.”

Riveiro is a reserved person. He hardly speaks unless necessary.

As a result, he feels his personality allowed him to build his career and grow in silence at Pirates.

“If I relate my personality and football, they are the same – the fact that I am coming from the bottom (I had to work hard),” the 49-year-old added.

The public and media hounds familiarised themselves with Riveiro’s personality as time progressed as they didn’t know he’d change with time and familiarity when he arrived. 

But Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza, speaking to the media after Riveiro’s first season in charge in 2023, learnt a lot about the coach’s personality, and he also took lessons from the Spaniard.

“When he taught me what I now talk about now, the power of silence, you can see he is a modest person and he doesn’t talk much,” said Khoza on what made Riveiro special..

“I remember talking about that: work hard in silence, and let the results be your success. He’s a hard worker behind the scenes, and you won’t see it.

“He’s of a demeanour (as a person) that is belying his fortitude, attitude and his work ethics (as a coach).”

The Pirates management, led by Khoza, must be pleased that their appointment of Riveiro duly paid dividends as he now leaves as a history-maker at Pirates.

They have also appreciated his contribution to the club by clearly not standing in his way when he asked to be released early due to his next move, which is rumoured to be to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Riveiro has also sent his heartfelt appreciation to the club’s management for looking after his needs from the beginning until the end.

“I think the chairman is taking care of me, basically, with what he is doing. He really cares. The management as well really cares about me and my future,” Riveiro said.

“What they are doing is something that they consider that’s fair with me in my time here at Pirates, and my service.

“They have taken care of me since day one. And now that I am leaving, they are trying to take care of ‘their coach’.

“I am a thankful person, so it’s something I appreciate and will never forget. Something that makes me feel comfortable and happy about it!”

“I am here because I am working for it, I am not here because I won the lottery (at some point). No!”