Pirates coach Riveiro to depart this week

Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro will take charge of his last match for the club on Tuesday when they play a catch-up Betway Premiership fixture against Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Orlando Stadium after the club granted him an early release from his contract, which was originally set to run until the end of June 2025.

He is to join a new club, whose identity is not yet known.

Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said on Monday: “José approached us a few weeks ago with a request to be released from his contract ahead of schedule, having signed with a new club.

“Given the timing, amidst a series of crucial fixtures, we believed it was best to delay this announcement until after the Nedbank Cup final. His contribution since joining the Club has been immense. We learned a lot from him, and he learned a lot from us.

“While we would have preferred to formally honour him with a proper send-off, we fully respect his decision to depart before the end of his tenure,” Khoza said.

In response, Riveiro said in a club statement: “I want to express my sincere appreciation to Orlando Pirates for allowing me the opportunity to leave before the end of my contract. As someone who has never found goodbyes easy, this moment is particularly emotional for me.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone at the club – from management and technical staff to the players and the many individuals behind the scenes who work tirelessly to support the team.

“To the players, thank you for believing in the journey we shared and for giving everything on the pitch. And to the supporters. When I first arrived, I challenged you to come out in your numbers and rally behind your team. You did that, and more. You turned every match into a moment to remember, and your passion is something I will carry with me forever. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this great club’s story.”

Pirates, who lost in Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, had their place in next season’s African Champions League confirmed on Sunday when Stellenbosch, the only side that could catch them, lost to Mamelodi Sundowns.

After Tuesday’s game, Pirates must still play TS Galaxy, SuperSport United, AmaZulu and Magesi, and they will be overseen by assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, who will take charge of the team on an interim basis, the club said. He will be supported by Head Performance Analyst Rayaan Jacobs.