Orlando Pirates Announce New Head Coach for Upcoming Season, Appoint Spanish Coach José Riveiro

Orlando Pirates Announce New Head Coach for Upcoming Season, Appoint Spanish Coach José Riveiro

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:05 PM
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  • Orlando Pirates have officially unveiled their new head coach for the upcoming 2022/23 football season
  • Spain's José Riveiro will oversee Orlando Pirates and be assisted by Sergio Almenara and Mandla Ncikazi
  • Benni McCarthy, Pitso Mosimane, and Gavin Hunt were all at one stage believed to be in line for the job

Orlando Pirates have finally announced their new head coach for the upcoming season.

After parting ways with co-coach, Fadlu Davids, the club officially welcomed José Riveiro as the new head coach of the Buccaneers on a three-year deal.

Orlando Pirates, Buccaneers, DStv Premiership, Soccer, Sport, Spain, Finland, FC Inter Turku, Coach, Benni McCarthy, Mandla Ncikazi, Pitso Mosimane
Orlando Pirates have officially unveiled José Riveiro as their new head coach for the upcoming season. Image: @City_Press
Source: Twitter

The Spanish-born coach exclaimed that he is delighted to join the Soweto club and is looking forward to the challenge, the club confirmed on its website.

“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,” he said.

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Riveiro will join the club in the pre-season once his documents have been finalised. He will be assisted by Sergio Almenara and Mandla Ncikazi. Miguel Bellver Esteve will serves as Fitness Trainer while Tyron Damons will be the Goalkeeper Coach.

Riveiro’s only stint as a head coach saw him in charge of FC Inter Turku in Finland, where he led the Black and Blues from 2019 to 2021.

The post of Orlando Pirates coach has been one that many people were linked to. Benni McCarthy, Gavin Hunt and Pitso Mosimane were all at one stage believed to be considered for the job.

Orlando Pirates said to be looking at Mamelodi Sundowns' Steve Komphela as search for a head coach continues

A report has emerged that Orlando Pirates is considering current Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Steve Khompela as a possible future head coach.

This would widen the field of candidates to Benni McCarthy, Pitso Mosimane, Dan Malesela, Cavin Johnson, Gavin Hunt and Spaniard Pablo Franco Martin.

Earlier this month, the club parted ways with Fadlu Davids. However, the possibility of Komphela reuniting with Mandla Ncikazi could be prevented due to Sundowns’ buy-out clause on the coach’s contract.

Pitso Mosimane expresses an interest in coaching in South Africa but Mamelodi Sundowns aren't open to a reunion

Earlier Sports Brief reported that Pitso Mosimane has not ruled out a return to South Africa as a coach. Mosimane has been linked with numerous clubs since he left Al Ahly last week.

Jingles recently admitted that he missed South Africa and was open to coaching again in the country.

Following his departure from Al Ahly, some believed that Mosimane would return to Mamelodi Sundowns. Mosimane was contracted to the Brazilians till 2024 but left the club to join Al Ahly in 2020.

Authors
Byron Pillay photo
Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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Benni McCarthyDStv PremiershipPitso MosimaneSouth Africa