Jose Riveiro Reveals Truth Behind Orlando Pirates Exit: ‘Al Ahly Came Later’
Former Buccaneers coach clarifies timeline of departure amid Egyptian club speculation
Former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has broken his silence on the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Soweto giants, revealing that his exit was planned long before Al Ahly’s interest materialized.
The Real Timeline: Pirates Knew First
Speaking to Robert Marawa on Marawa Sports Worldwide, the 50-year-old Spaniard provided crucial context about his career move that has been subject to widespread speculation. Riveiro emphasized that his decision to leave Pirates was not triggered by the opportunity at Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly.
“I don’t know if people understood the nature of my decision at that time, but I didn’t leave Pirates because I moved to Ahly,” Riveiro stated, as quoted by Unplayable. “It was a decision that was made a long, long time ago. They [Pirates] knew and Ahly came later.”
Forced Early Departure for Club World Cup
Riveiro expressed his only regret about the transition – having to leave Orlando Pirates before the season concluded. The coach revealed that Al Ahly demanded his early arrival to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup, creating an unavoidable scheduling conflict.
“The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that I moved before the season ended here. I wasn’t happy about that,” Riveiro admitted. “It was a must, yeah, from Ahly… But I didn’t have any other option at that time. I had to do it that way.”
He credited Pirates management for their professionalism during the transition: “I was lucky that the club helped me a lot, Pirates. Pirates people were backing me all the time and they made everything easy for me to be there on time.”
Legacy of Success at Orlando Pirates
Riveiro’s departure from Pirates marked the end of what many consider the most successful coaching spell in the club’s modern era. In just three seasons, the Spanish tactician delivered an impressive haul of silverware: three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups, along with three consecutive runners-up finishes in the league.
This record-setting performance makes his subsequent struggles at Al Ahly particularly noteworthy in the broader context of coaching transitions between African football leagues.
Brief Stint at Al Ahly
Riveiro’s time at the Egyptian giants proved unexpectedly short-lived. The club parted ways with him in September, just three months after his arrival, following a series of poor performances that left the defending champions languishing in 12th position in the league table.
The club described the separation as a mutual decision, stating the team needed to “realign with ambitions” both domestically and across Africa. A 2-0 home defeat to CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC proved to be his final match in charge, concluding a difficult period where Al Ahly managed only one victory in seven games under Riveiro’s leadership.
Broader Implications for Coaching Careers
Riveiro’s clarification provides important insights into the complex dynamics of coaching transitions in top-tier African football. His revelation challenges the narrative that successful coaches necessarily seek “bigger” opportunities, instead highlighting how personal decisions and timing play crucial roles in career moves.
The interview also underscores the challenges coaches face when moving between different football cultures within Africa, where success in one league doesn’t always guarantee similar results in another, despite comparable competitive levels.
Source: The South African – Jose Riveiro: I didn’t leave Orlando Pirates because I moved to Al Ahly