Pirates’ Heartfelt Farewell To Riveiro: “He Fixed What Was Broken”

Orlando Pirates has paid an emotional and resounding tribute to outgoing coach José Riveiro, acknowledging his transformative impact on the club. The Buccaneers lauded Riveiro for “tightening the loose screws” and establishing a clear blueprint for his successor to build upon.

Riveiro bid farewell in emphatic fashion as Orlando Pirates convincingly defeated Golden Arrows 3-0 at Orlando Stadium in their Betway Premiership clash on Tuesday, securing their coveted spot in next season’s CAF Champions League.

The Spanish coach, who arrived in July 2022 as a relatively unknown figure, took the reins at a crucial juncture when Orlando Pirates were in need of significant restructuring following a disappointing sixth-place finish in the league.

However, within a mere four months of his appointment, Riveiro swiftly proved his worth. He secured his first trophy – the MTN8 – with a memorable victory over AmaZulu in Durban. This triumph was followed by a Nedbank Cup win, marking a remarkable domestic double alongside a second-place league finish in his debut season.

Riveiro replicated this impressive feat the following season, once again lifting both the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup, this time at the expense of league champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

This season saw Riveiro achieve a historic milestone by claiming the MTN8 title for the third consecutive time – a record in the PSL era. While a third consecutive Nedbank Cup triumph eluded him after a loss to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend (which would have been a third consecutive double of the same competitions), his overall impact remained undeniable.

Furthermore, Orlando Pirates demonstrated significant progress in the CAF Champions League under Riveiro’s guidance, narrowly losing 3-2 on aggregate in a hard-fought second-leg semi-final against Pyramids – a defeat that ultimately ended their impressive continental journey.

In a heartfelt statement released on Wednesday, Orlando Pirates echoed the sentiments of legendary college basketball coach John Wooden: “A good coach changes a game. A great coach changes a life.” The club emphasized the enduring relevance of this quote, even decades after it was first uttered.

“In the pressure-filled world of modern coaching, success is often measured in scorelines, trophies, and standings. But when the dust settles and the final whistle blows, what lingers isn’t merely about the victories and the losses. It’s about Legacy – and legacy speaks to the imprint one leaves once they leave,” the statement read.

Pirates reflected on the initial skepticism surrounding Riveiro’s appointment three years prior: “When José Riveiro arrived in South Africa three years ago, few could have imagined the impact he would have made. At the time, critics were quick to dismiss him. Some went as far as calling him a ‘plumber,’ others questioned his credentials, and scoffed at the idea that a relatively unknown Spanish coach could restore the pride of one of the country’s most decorated football institutions.”

However, the club highlighted Riveiro’s ability to prove his detractors wrong: “But football, like life, is not played on paper. It is won on the training ground, in the changeroom, and under the pressure of those four white lines (the football field). And José Riveiro, with his quiet demeanour and steely resolve, did what plumbers do best – he fixed what was broken. He mended more than just tactics and formations. He repaired belief. He tightened the loose screws of a team that had been yearning for consistency. He welded together a squad of men who would go on to carve out their own history at Orlando Pirates Football Club.”

The club poignantly described his final match: “Last night [Tuesday], under the lights of Orlando Stadium, Riveiro’s final chapter as Head Coach of the Mighty Buccaneers came to a close with a commanding 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows. It was a poetic farewell; mirroring the legacy he leaves behind.”

Orlando Pirates highlighted Riveiro’s impressive record: “In 132 matches at the helm, José recorded 80 wins, 26 draws, and only 26 losses. But perhaps the greatest achievement of all was not silverware. It was silencing the doubters with success and doing so without ever raising his voice. Riveiro never punched back at the criticism. He absorbed it, processed it, and channelled it into performance.”

In closing, the club expressed their gratitude and acknowledged his lasting impact: “As he bids farewell, José Riveiro leaves behind more than just medals and milestones. He leaves behind a blueprint; a reminder that respect is not given, it is earned. That even in a world quick to judge, the quiet craftsman can still build greatness. Gracias, Mr Riveiro. You arrived with questions hanging over your head. You depart with your name etched in our hearts. Once.Always ☠️.”

With Riveiro’s departure before the end of the season, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi will take charge of the team for the remaining four matches.