Riveiro: My Time At Pirates Was A Life-Changer
Outgoing Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says his time with the club was a life-changer, as he departs on a high note following a convincing 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Tuesday.
Despite having a few games left in the season, Riveiro requested an early departure from Pirates.
This win propelled Pirates to 55 points after 24 matches. Consequently, Mamelodi Sundowns will clinch the league title if they secure a win against Chippa United on Wednesday.
Sundowns, having played two more games and currently sitting on 67 points after 26 matches, would have won the league if Pirates had failed to secure maximum points against Arrows.
“My time at Pirates, it’s a life-changer. It’s something else; I cannot describe the way I feel with these boys, with the fans, with everything around the club in this moment. It’s going to take so much time to process, and actually, I can’t fully express it now,” Riveiro said on SuperSport TV.
“These fans, as well, I love them. It’s been a very close relationship wherever we go. It’s not just about trophies, it’s not just about victories, it’s not just about goals, it’s not only about good football; it’s about identifying with the brand, identifying with the vision of the club, and I think the future is looking so good for the game, for the fans, for everybody in general.”
Riveiro is strongly linked with a move to Al Ahly in Egypt, who are currently without a coach following the dismissal of Marcel Koller. The Egyptian giants are reportedly in urgent need of a coach to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup taking place next month.
However, when questioned about his next destination, Riveiro remained tight-lipped, stating that everyone would know soon.
“To be honest with you, I wish I could say, but I can’t,” he said.
“There is this matter of confidentiality and such, so it’s not in my hands, or it’s not me who has the responsibility to announce such a thing, but it’s going to be very soon.
“I think that everybody will be understanding and hopefully happy for me as well, and wishing me the best.”
Riveiro, who has secured five trophies with Pirates in his three seasons at the helm, had a final message for the club’s passionate supporters.
“The key for me is to understand the type of players that we have in the team, how young they still are, and I must say they have a bright future,” he said.
“The fans have to understand the need for patience with them, they have to be supportive of them, as well as with the new coach.
“Whoever is coming is going to come here to go to the next level, to help the project, to move forward, to help these players become even better players. The fans need to show a decent amount of patience with him and support him in the beginning because he’s going to need it.”
