Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has written his name in South African history books, but his record-breaking reign at the Buccaneers comes at a huge personal sacrifice.
The Spaniard became the first coach in Premier Soccer League history to win the MTN8 three times in a row after beating Stellenbosch FC 3-1 in the recent final.
Overall, Riveiro has lifted five trophies in close two-and-a-half seasons at the Soweto giants, making the Pirates faithful flock in masses to the Orlando Stadium again.
He has picked up 58 wins, 17 draws and 20 defeats, equating to a win ratio of 60%, which is only bettered by Julio Leal with 64% and equal to Mike Makaab’s 60%. His 58 wins are also second, only bettered by legendary Dutchman Ruud Krol with 65.
But his on-field success in reviving the Buccaneers comes at a huge personal sacrifice, as now revealed by the club.
“What many don’t know, for two long years, Riveiro has been separated from his wife and young daughter, enduring the isolation of distance while shouldering the weight of leading a football giant like Orlando Pirates,” the club stated.
“The mental toll of working away from family, compounded by the unrelenting demands of top-level coaching, would have broken many. Yet Riveiro has persevered, driven by a profound sense of duty to the club and its supporters.
“In the face of adversity, Riveiro has remained the epitome of selflessness. His commitment to this institution and its success has never wavered, even at the expense of his own personal well-being.”
Riveiro’s two former colleagues Sergio Almenara and Michel Beliver, who arrived with their countryman in 2022, found themselves in a similar situation, which has seen them leave South Africa, while Riveiro soldiers on – far away from his family but the current international break gave him a chance to reunite with his wife and daughter.