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NEWS: Jose Riveiro’s personal sacrifice behind Orlando Pirates to unprecedented glory

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has etched his name into South African football history, but his remarkable achievements have come at a personal cost.

Jose Riveiro

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has etched his name into South African football history, but his remarkable achievements have come at a personal cost.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The Spaniard became the first coach in Premier Soccer League (PSL) history to win the MTN8 Cup three times in a row after guiding Pirates to a 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC in the recent final.

Riveiro’s success at the Soweto club has been nothing short of impressive.

Since joining in 2022, he has lifted five trophies and revitalised the Buccaneers, drawing large crowds back to Orlando Stadium.

His record stands at 58 wins, 17 draws, and 20 defeats, giving him a 60% win rate, matched only by Mike Makaab and second only to Julio Leal’s 64%. His 58 victories put him behind only Ruud Krol’s 65 in Pirates’ coaching history.

However, behind these accomplishments lies a story of personal sacrifice.

Riveiro has spent two years separated from his wife and young daughter, enduring the strain of distance while leading one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.

“The mental toll of working away from family, compounded by the unrelenting demands of top-level coaching, would have broken many,” the club stated. Yet, Riveiro remained committed to his task.

Despite his two assistants, Sergio Almenara and Michel Beliver, returning to Spain due to similar personal struggles, Riveiro has soldiered on, reuniting with his family only during the recent international break.

His perseverance has been hailed as selfless, with the club acknowledging his unwavering dedication to the Buccaneers’ success, even at the expense of his own personal well-being.

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