Orlando Pirates Chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza said they would have liked Jose Riveiro to have extended his stay but remains grateful for his contribution to the club.
Riveiro will leave Pirates at the end of his original three-year deal he signed when arriving at the club in June 2022, in an appointment that was received with mixed reception as an unknown coach to South Africa, coming from Finland, in only his second head coaching role of his career.
But he’s silenced the critics with winning five domestic trophies and breaking their Premier Soccer League points accumulation so far this season, while on course to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the title, Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League.
“While we would have liked José to extend his stay with us, at the same time, we fully respect his decision. We are grateful for everything he has done for the Club,” Dr. Khoza said in the official statement.
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“The achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves. The joy that José and his support staff have brought to this Club will never be forgotten.
“The Club’s immediate priority will be two-fold. Firstly, in keeping with his wishes, we will find the appropriate time to fully express our appreciation of José and his contribution to the Club but secondly, for the football department to begin the extensive exercise of finding a suitable replacement ahead of the 2025/26 season.
“We appreciate the three years of service that José has given this institution and fully support his decision. Wherever his journey takes him, he must know that the Orlando Pirates family will always be behind him.”
Riveiro will now be preparing his side for the the league game against Polokwane City this weekend, before the 2nd leg quarter-final against MC Alger at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
