In what now feels like the calm before a dignified farewell, Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has reiterated that the club’s future is secure – even as he prepares to step away from the helm at the end of the season.
Following the Buccaneers’ hard-fought 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday night, Riveiro addressed growing speculation about his successor.
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“It’s a club project. It’s not a Riveiro project,” he said. “The club knows what they are doing. Whoever is coming is going to be the right person... Orlando Pirates is a huge institution. Nothing is going to change because Riveiro is in or out.”
His composed remarks come after the club confirmed in April that the Spaniard would not be renewing his contract, which expires at the end of the current campaign.
“While we would have liked Jose to extend his stay with us, at the same time, we fully respect his decision,” said Chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza at the time. “The joy that Jose and his support staff have brought to this club will never be forgotten.”
Should Pirates win Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final against bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium, it will be Riveiro’s third consecutive Nedbank Cup title in three years – a remarkable record. It would also mark his second Soweto Derby win in just one week, having led Pirates to a 2-1 league victory over Chiefs at FNB Stadium last weekend.
Riveiro has already etched his name into the club’s modern history books by delivering three consecutive MTN8 trophies and guiding the Buccaneers to this year’s CAF Champions League semi-finals, where they narrowly missed out on a place in the final after falling to Egypt’s Pyramids FC two weeks ago.
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As Pirates gear up for possibly their final shot at silverware this season, Riveiro remains focused on finishing strong – business as usual, even in the shadow of goodbyes.
For supporters, Saturday may be more than just a cup final – it could be the curtain call of a golden era.
