Riveiro Reacts To Praise From Fellow PSL Coach
Outgoing Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has commented on the special praise reserved for him by his fellow PSL counterpart, as he is set to leave the Soweto giants at the end of the season, ending a three-year stay.
The Spanish mentor joined the Buccaneers in June 2022 and instantly made his presence felt in the South African top-flight division after he was labeled with derogatory terms such as ‘plumber’ upon his arrival.
Riveiro managed two consecutive runners-up finishes to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership, in addition to lifting five domestic cup competitions in the form of a record three successive MTN8 titles and back-to-back Nedbank Cup trophies.
With his imminent departure, Polokwane City coach Phuthi Mohafe has hailed the Bucs tactician’s impact on the Sea Robbers and South African football at large, acknowledging the difficulty of the Spaniard’s achievements.
“Even though that [question] is out of my league, but I can say he has done a massive job there; winning five cups in three seasons is not a child’s play. Winning a cup every season is not child’s play, so he has contributed massively to our league,” noted the Rise and Shine gaffer.
The 49-year-old Celta Vigo native felt honored to receive recognition from his counterpart while downplaying the magnitude of the job he has done at the Mayfair club, stating that he’s merely doing his best to improve Pirates.
“Thank you to Phuthi [Mohafe]; thank you to the coach. Obviously for us as coaches to get recognition from our colleagues, I think it’s the best one you can get from your player and your colleagues it’s something to appreciate,” said Riveiro.
“Like I said many times, I just came here to try to do my best to help my club, to help my team to get better, to improve, to go to a better place, to go to a better level together with the coaching staff and the supporters.
“So far, I think we did a good job, I will leave it there. Good is for the people to evaluate what we do every day for these players and this club as well and indirectly for the South African football as well – it’s where we are.
He continued: “I’m just trying to do my job as good as I can with professionalism, with dedication, with passion, and the consequence of that is getting results. I understand the space, I understand my position very well, I understand what it means to win or lose in a space like this, and thank you to the coach and to the fans as well, they have been showing me a lot of love in recent days and happiness.”
Riveiro’s charges are in second place with 46 points amassed to Sundowns’ 58 points, having played three fewer games. Moreover, Pirates are in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup and hold a 1-0 aggregate lead over MC Alger in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals ahead of Wednesday’s return leg.
