Pirates appoint Riveiro as new coach

Orlando Pirates announced the appointment of José Riveiro to the position of head coach on Saturday. Riveiro joins Pirates on a three-year deal.

Riveiro is delighted to join the club and says he is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“First of all, I would like to send a greeting to all the fans of Orlando Pirates. I am delighted to have joined the club. The Pirates project is an exciting one and I look forward to what lies ahead. It is an honour for me and my colleagues to have the responsibility to coach such an institution and compete for the highest goals.”

A modern, progressive coach with exciting, attacking football as his philosophy, the 46-year-old will join the squad for preseason once all the relevant documents are processed.

As he joins the Buccaneers, Riveiro is under no illusion of the high expectation that comes with the job, especially in the season the club will be marking its 85th Anniversary.

“Along with my support team, we are looking forward to arriving and joining the task force and the group of players to start working immediately.”

“We are going to work to make history together and build a team that we are all proud of.”

Riveiro’s last stint as a coach was at FC Inter Turku where he led the Black and Blues from 2019 to 2021.

The Spaniard will be assisted by Sergio Almenara and Mandla Ncikazi. Miguel Bellver Esteve will be the fitness trainer and Tyron Damons is the goalkeeper coach.

FACTBOX:

- Born in Vigo, Galicia, Riveiro began his coaching career at early age, and took over his first senior team, CD Teis in the regional leagues shortly after. After three years in charge of the team, he spent two seasons as an assistant and coach of Rápido de Bouzas' youth categories before returning to Teis.

- In 2010, Riveiro was appointed manager of Mondariz FC in the Primeira Autonómica (sixth division), achieving promotion to the Preferente in his first campaign. While in charge of the club, he was also a coach of CD Choco and RC Celta de Vigo's youth categories.

- Riveiro resigned from Mondariz in May 2014,[4] and moved abroad in July to work at Finnish side FC Honka, as an assistant coach. In April of the following year, he moved to fellow league team PK-35 Vantaa, also as an assistant.

- On 7 June 2016, Riveiro was appointed assistant manager of Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi. On 5 October 2018, he was named manager of FC Inter Turku.

- In his first season in charge, Riveiro led Inter to the second position in the Veikkausliiga, qualifying the side to a European competition after six years. On 25 September 2020, he renewed his contract for the 2021 campaign. For the 2022 season, Inter replaced him with Miguel Grau.