Outgoing Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro expressed that his life will be forever changed by the warm reception he received from South African fans.

Riveiro is set to depart Pirates at the end of the season, following last week’s announcement that he would step down upon the expiration of his contract in June.

The Spanish coach, who joined Pirates in June 2022 on a three-year deal, has secured five major trophies with the club, and potentially more by the season’s end.

Pirates advanced to the CAF Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, defeating MC Alger 1-0 on aggregate at Orlando Stadium. They will now face Egyptian side Pyramids in a two-legged tie this month.

The Soweto giants are also in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, where they will play Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium on Sunday. They remain in contention for the Betway Premiership title, trailing log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points, although Sundowns have played three more games.

“My life will never be the same after being here as Orlando Pirates coach,” Riveiro admitted. 

“What else can I tell you? It is a big change in my life and I’m not talking about football, I’m talking about all those things that you say that people are expressing themselves towards.  

“This is something special.” 

When questioned about the sacrifices he made to take the Pirates job, he responded, “The sacrifices? This is my job,” said Riveiro. 

“I’m here for those reasons, I’m here for that mandate, we are here to try to do everything to put the club in a space that the club like Pirates deserve, the space that fans want us to be. 

“Trust me, we know how important football is for them. You are talking about something else then winning one game or not, we are talking about a lot of things society, I’m conscious about that. 

“So, I know every day when we wake up in the morning, when we are playing, we know what we are playing for and to who.  

“Again, I think seven or weeks hopefully together here we can go to the last stage of every competition and for sure it is going to be special. 

“But trust me, since I arrived here, we speak about the fans, not about you [the media], they were always very friendly, kind and special with the coach. I said everywhere I go that my life will never be the same after being the Pirates coach because this is not a normal club, it is a very special one.”     

The 47-year-old has managed 123 matches, achieving 78 wins, 24 losses, and 21 draws.