It was understandable if Pirates supporters everywhere replied, “Who?” to the Orlando Pirates’ announcement on Saturday that Spanish man Jose Riveiro would be taking over as head coach. It was another surprise move by the Buccaneers.
SEE ALSO: Pirates reveal a secret about Riveiro.
The 46-year-old, a coach that chairman Irvin Khoza plucked out of obscurity to take the helm at Pirates, belongs in the same league as Josef Zinn Bauer, Kjell Jenerette, Kosta Papic, and Jean-Yves Kerjean.
Riveiro, who was born in Vigo, grew up attending La Liga team Celta Vigo as a season ticket holder. However, he only participated in the Spanish third level, where he ended his playing career in his twenties after admitting he wasn’t that talented.
“I didn’t play well. Gran Peña participated in the Spanish third division. No matter how hard I worked, I recognized I would never be good,” Riveiro candidly stated in a 2019 interview with Ilta Sanomat.
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Prior to relocating to Finland in 2014 to serve as an assistant coach at Honka FC, Riveiro began his coaching career in the lower divisions of Spain. However, the move wasn’t without its challenges, especially as he was frightened of flying. This must have altered now that he’s moved to Johannesburg.
There was a long bus ride from Vigo to Hamburg, Germany, on the way from Spain to Finland.
It was the worst choice I’ve ever made. A single bus ride lasting 38 hours. A terrible experience, Riveiro remarked.
Before accepting his first head coaching position in 2018 with Inter Turku, Riveiro served as an assistant coach in the Finnish Premier League at Honka, PK-35 Vantaa, and HJK Helsinki, where he did win two Premier League titles.
After leading Inter to the second place in the Finnish Premier League for two consecutive seasons, he was removed for the 2022 campaign after finishing eighth in his third season.
Riveiro’s remarks regarding Turku’s early success turnaround may strike a chord with Pirates supporters.
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