It’s the end of an era at Orlando Pirates as head coach Jose Riveiro gets ready to lead the Buccaneers for the final time on Tuesday night against Golden Arrows. The Spanish tactician has been granted an early release from his contract, which was originally set to run until June 2025.
Club chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza confirmed the news, saying Riveiro asked to leave a few weeks ago after signing with a new club. Even though the club is in the middle of important fixtures, they decided to delay the announcement until after the Nedbank Cup Final out of respect.
“Jose has made a big impact here. We’ve learned from each other, and while we would’ve loved to give him a proper farewell, we understand and respect his decision,” said Khoza.
Riveiro leaves with a solid legacy. He brought silverware, memorable performances, and a clear style of play that helped shape the team over the last few seasons.
In his own words to orlandopiratesfc.com, Riveiro shared how tough it is to say goodbye.
“This is emotional for me,” he said. “I want to thank everyone at the club, especially the players who gave everything on the pitch, and the fans – you’ve been amazing. From day one, you supported us and made every game special. I’ll never forget that.”
He also expressed gratitude to the management, coaching staff, and behind-the-scenes crew who kept things running smoothly.
As Pirates prepare for their Betway Premiership clash on Tuesday, fans are urged to fill up Orlando Stadium one last time to send off “The Spanish Guitar” in style.
After Riveiro’s departure, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi will step in as interim head coach for the rest of the season. He’ll be supported by Head Performance Analyst Rayaan Jacobs and the rest of the technical team.
