José Riveiro’s new career officially gets underway on Sunday as AIK Stockholm take on Västerås in the Swedish Cup.
It is a home game for the Spanish coach, hired last month by the Swedish club after his stints at Orlando Pirates and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
AIK will play three group matches in the cup over the next three weeks but do not begin the new Swedish league season until 5 April when they host Halmstad in their opening fixture.
AIK are six-time Swedish champions with their last success in 2018. Stuart Baxter was their coach when they won the title in 1998 and stasyed at the club for three seasons until the end of 2000.
Riveiro, 50, replaces Mikkjal Thomassen as coach.
AIK Football's recruitment manager Miika Takkula justified the choice of Riveiro in a statement, “We chose José as the new head coach after an extensive recruitment process where we sought a coach who would fit the playing style that AIK strives for, as well as fit into the club's deeper culture.
“José is an excellent match in both of these areas. His understanding of modern football and its development, including player development, is at a very high level. In addition, his personality and values fit well into the club environment. It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to working together with him and the team.”
Riveiro previously worked in Scandinavia at Finnish clubs Inter Turku and HJK. At the start of his career, Riveiro was a youth coach at Celta Vigo.
“I am very proud and happy to be part of a club that truly lives and breathes football,” said Riveiro.
“AIK is a club with a strong identity, high ambitions and an enormous passion around the team. Now I am really looking forward to getting started, building relationships and working closely with the players and my colleagues to develop the team every day and take the next step both individually and collectively,” he added.
Riveiro has signed a contract with AIK until 31 December, 2028.
AIK, who finished seventh in the 2026 Allsvenskan, have been training in Spain with Riveiro, ending the training camp in Marbella with a 1-4 against Norwegian champions Viking Stavanger.
The group stage of the Swedish Cup begins on Friday and sees 32 clubs divided into eight groups where only the group winners advance. Häcken are the reigning champions. AIK have had eight cup wins but the last was in 1999.