Orlando Pirates announced early Monday morning that head coach Jose Riveiro has been granted an early release from his contract. The Spanish tactician, who has been at the helm since July 2022, is set to take up a new challenge after signing with a new club.
In an official statement, the Pirates confirmed that Riveiro had approached the club weeks ago with a request to be released ahead of schedule, having already committed to another team. The timing of his request came during a crucial run of fixtures, including the Nedbank Cup final, prompting the club to delay making the news public.
“Jose 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,” said club chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza.
Khoza went on to commend Riveiro’s impact at the club: “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 leave before the end of his tenure.”
Riveiro’s early departure sparked speculation among fans and the broader South African football community about his next move. It didn’t take long for the mystery to be solved. According to Egyptian sports outlet Yallakora, Riveiro is set to join African giants Al Ahly.
“Spanish coach José Riveiro is with Al Ahly after reaching a final agreement to lead the first team,” the publication reported. “The Al Ahly management is currently working on drafting all the terms of the contract before sending it to Jose Riveiro for immediate signing.”
Riveiro’s tenure with Orlando Pirates was marked by success. Between July 2022 and May 2025, he guided the team to five domestic trophies, cementing his status as one of the club’s most successful recent coaches. However, his final game in charge ended in disappointment, with Pirates falling 2-1 to archrivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final. The defeat denied Riveiro a perfect record in domestic cup finals.
While many Pirates supporters may feel a sense of unfinished business, there’s no denying Riveiro’s legacy at the club. His departure to Al Ahly represents not only a step up in his career but also signals the growing reputation of South African football managers on the international stage.
As fans reflect on his exit, the big question now is: how will the Buccaneers fill the void left by Riveiro—and who will be next to lead them into a new era?
