Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi has one wish for the next coach the club is going to hire.
The Buccaneers confirmed that current head coach Jose Riveiro will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, which came as a big shock for many of the Pirates faithful.
READ: Riveiro Vows To Fight 'Until The Last Day'
The next coach has big shoes to fill because Riveiro has endeared himself to the club's supporters, winning trophies and introducing youngsters who have become key components in the first team.
As the end of the season nears, Pirates management will be looking at who they can have as Riveiro's successor and that individual will be walking into pressure from the get go.
"My wish is that the chairman can find a coach who can take the team to an even greater level than what Riveiro did. The guy achieved so much with Pirates and left a mark and a legacy. The love he brought is the love that will stay in the hearts of supporters for a long time," Lekgwathi said to Soccer Laduma.
"But sometimes there is a reason why coaches leave, and you can’t block them. Coaches have come and gone and it’s the same with players. I pray the next coach will take the team to another level. I trust the leadership of the team. I trust the chairman will bring in someone who can take the team to greater heights."
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Greater heights will be a tough ask, especially if Pirates go on to win the CAF Champions League this season. They are still in contention for the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup, so there is so much to play for. If they win any of these competitions, the next coach will have his work cut out to hit the ground running and inspire the team to further success.
"It’s sad to lose a coach who took the team to another level. Credit should go to the chairman (Irvin Khoza) because he brought a coach that we did not have faith or trust that he would achieve what he has achieved.
"When you look at the players signed for the coach, most of them were leaders from other teams. They assembled a good team, and they promoted youngsters from the Pirates DDC, and he is giving them an opportunity and they are doing well. It’s sad to lose a coach like him. We as supporters loved him, and he loved the supporters."
