Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is unconcerned about the club’s continuity next season, stating that the team’s progress is not solely his creation but part of a larger club project that will attract the right successor.

Riveiro is set to depart the club at the end of his three-year tenure, a period that has seen the team show significant growth this season.

Pirates are on track to achieve their highest points tally under Riveiro, having reached 52 points after just 23 matches following their come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.

In Riveiro’s debut season, Pirates accumulated 54 points, followed by 50 points last season. With 52 points already and five games still to play, they are poised to surpass both previous season’s totals in Riveiro’s final campaign.

Furthermore, Pirates reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals this season, a significant improvement after failing to progress beyond the preliminary stages last year. This progress, coupled with the opportunity to secure another domestic cup double in three consecutive seasons under the Spanish coach, highlights a period of sustained success.

The departure of a successful coach often raises concerns about the new manager’s approach and potential disruption to the team’s progress. New appointments can sometimes lead to significant changes in playing style and personnel, which could derail the momentum built under Riveiro.

“Did you hear my answer before?” Riveiro responded when questioned about continuity at the post-match press conference on Tuesday. “It is a club project, it is not Riveiro’s project. I have answered this question many, many times. The club knows what they are doing. Whoever is coming is going to be the right person.

“He is going to have all the support; he is going to find himself in a good platform to continue where we are going to stop at the end of the season. Football comes in cycles, and Orlando Pirates is a huge institution; nothing is going to change because Riveiro is in or out. The Buccaneers [Pirates fans] don’t need to be concerned about that because the future is really brilliant for the club, and it is going to be more than alright.”

Despite their improved performance this season, it appears unlikely that Pirates will be able to overtake Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership title race, with Sundowns on the verge of securing their eighth consecutive league championship.

Pirates now shift their immediate focus to the Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs at the Durban venue on Saturday, where they aim to achieve an unprecedented third consecutive triumph in this competition.