Orlando Pirates have released an emotional tribute to outgoing former head coach Jose Riveiro.
The Spaniard saw out his last game at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows courtesy of goals from Tshegofatso Mabasa, Bandile Shandu and Kabelo Dlamini.
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In 132 matches at the Bucs helm, Riveiro claimed 80 victories with 26 draws and 26 losses in three seasons, winning five domestic titles (three MTN8 trophies and two Nedbank Cup titles).
Riveiro is expected to take over the hot seat at Egyptian giants to replace Marcel Koller in what has been deemed as the highest paid coaching job in Africa.
On Tuesday, the club took time to thank Riveiro in a statement:
“A good coach changes a game. A great coach changes a life.” These are the words from John Wooden, a former college basketball coach in the US. And even though its over 30 years the late UCLA coach first uttered these words, the quote still rings true to this day.
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.
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.
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.
Last night, 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.
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.
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 ☠️
