Jose Riveiro's decision to part ways with Orlando Pirates may have stunned the local football community, but for those familiar with the Spaniard's coaching philosophy, the writing was always on the wall.
Read: Official: Pirates Announce Riveiro Decision
Despite an impressive stint that saw him claim three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cup trophies, Riveiro's departure after three seasons aligns with a pattern he openly spoke about during a past interview with his former club, Inter Turku in 2021.
"I don't think that as a coach you have to spend more than three years in the same place. For me, it's the maximum, with exceptions," he said at the time.
"Of course, depending on the club philosophy and how much you renovate the squad year after year… In the context that I have in this moment around, definitely three years is a proper time, for me, to look for a different challenge."
That very principle seems to have guided his Pirates journey from the outset. While his reign brought silverware and a style of football admired by many, it appears that Riveiro had always earmarked three years as his limit—regardless of success.
Now 47, Riveiro has been strongly linked with a move to Morocco, where he could embark on yet another three-year adventure, in line with his self-imposed coaching cycle.
Read: Riveiro Breaks His Silence On Pirates Exit
