Jose Riveiro might have arrived in South Africa as a completely unknown coach two years ago, but it took Orlando Pirates players less than a day to conclude they had a top tactician on board.
The Spanish-born mentor joined the Sea Robbers ahead of the 2022/23 season and was not received with warm hands by supporters.
He was called derogatory names on social media platforms thanks to his thin CV, which outlined his biggest success was helping Inter Turku end the season as runners-up in the Finish league.
But that was not the case in the Buccaneers’ change room as the coach was warmly welcomed and quickly got the buy-in of players.
Riveiro and his group of players have turned some of his detractors into admirers with the Soweto giants winning four trophies in two seasons under the coach’s tutelage.
The coach has an opportunity to win the MTN8 for the third time in a row when they meet Stellenbosch FC in the climax at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday at 18:00.
Speaking to the media ahead of the final, skipper Innocent Maela revealed how the players were sold to Riveiro’s plans and ambitions on the first day of his arrival to the team.
“How did we know that we have a good coach? Honestly, from the first day,” said Maela.
“I’ve sat here so many times and I’ve given credit to the coach and the technical team on how they prepare for matches and how everyone is involved within the group.”
The skipper also discussed how the coach has managed to get the best out of the players to achieve all the success they’ve enjoyed together.
“He gives the platform to everyone to express themselves. We have seen examples in the previous season and the season before,” Maela said.
“I think from the first day, we knew that we have a top coach and a good human being, a father figure to us.
“And from the first day, we only wanted to play our best and give our best to him and to his former assistant coach (Sergio Almenara) who started the process with us.
“It’s been a good journey with ups and downs, but we are enjoying working with the coach and the technical team,” he said.
“But we’ve always known from the first day that we had a good coach. We see how he prepares for training sessions for each game and how much he demands the best from us.”
