Orlando Pirates had officially bid farewell to assistant coach Sergio Almenara earlier this week, marking the end of his tenure with the club just days after their triumphant Nedbank Cup victory in Nelspruit.
Almenara, who arrived at the club alongside head coach Jose Riveiro for the 2022/23 season, played a pivotal role in shaping the Buccaneers into a formidable force in South African football. Under the guidance of Riveiro, Almenara, and South African-born Mandla Ncikazi, Pirates embarked on a competitive journey that culminated in back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup successes over the last two seasons.
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Almenara, in particular, brought a wealth of experience to the team, having served as Riveiro's second-in-command at previous clubs FC Inter Turku (Turkey) and FC Honka in Finland.
Beyond his coaching duties, the 44-year-old Almenara is also celebrated for his expertise as a video analyst, a skill he honed during his time at FC Legirus. His analytical acumen and tactical insights have been instrumental in Pirates' recent achievements. Riveiro, addressing the departure of his compatriot, cited personal reasons as the catalyst for Almenara's exit.
"Personal reasons, when you decide to continue your career abroad far from your family, home…I'm talking about my experience as well, you used to look at the future always with optimism. You plan the way that you are going to continue with your personal life even when you are abroad and sometimes the things are not going the way you plan," Riveiro told Marawa Sports Worldwide.
"Unfortunately, for him he couldn't put everything together – the personal life and professional life in order to have the possibility to continue with us. It's never been his intention to leave the project in the middle but, well sometimes, life forces you to make some certain decisions," he added.
The decision to leave was not taken lightly by Almenara.
"He's not totally happy with the decision he is being forced to make but I think it's the right decision for him and his future especially when we are talking about the personal side," Riveiro said.
Reflecting on their five-year collaboration, Riveiro expressed his personal loss, describing Almenara as more than just a colleague but a friend and family.
"For me, it's not nice. We have been working together for the last five years. We know each other. We don't need to talk; we know what we are thinking about. Everything, for me, Sergio is family. He is my friend; he is much more than a colleague. He will be missed for sure, but life continues for both," added the Spanish tactician.
As Pirates look ahead to the future, the club celebrates the legacy of success Almenara contributed to, including a second-place finish in the DStv Premiership and the acquisition of the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies.
His departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the Buccaneers, as they prepare to navigate the upcoming season without one of their key strategists.
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