Carling All-Stars coach Jose Riveiro has shared his insights on managing a team composed of players from various clubs, with most coming from the SA big three.
The Spanish coach will once again guide the All-Stars team, having been selected by fan vote. This marks his second consecutive year in the revamped Carling Black Label Cup competition, having guided the team to a victory against Stellenbosch FC in 2023.
This time around All-Stars will face off against Magesi FC on Saturday, 21 December at Orlando Stadium.
In the press conference, Riveiro acknowledged the challenges of managing a team composed of both senior and DDC players from different clubs.
He emphasised that the day should be about the players enjoying themselves and displaying their abilities.
RIVEIRO SAYS CARLING BLACK LABEL IS FOR PLAYERS TO SHOWCASE THEIR ABILITIES
“It’s difficult and easy at the same time,” said Riveiro.
“Like I said before, we are approaching this game giving all the importance to the players more than the coaches.
“I think the stage is for them. The platform on Saturday is for them to show one more time the players that they can be in the near future.
“And I don’t think about anything else, to be honest. I’m going to try to help them live during the game to understand what’s going on and try to win the match.
“But the protagonists in this case is more about the players.”
Riveiro added that he doesn’t expect to have to do much coaching on the day, as he believes the players’ experience and professionalism will allow them to gel once they’re on the pitch.
‘THEY DON’T NEED MUCH FROM COACH’
“Football players, they don’t need so much time. Footballers understand football, they are talented players,” he added.
“They are quality players, they don’t need so much from the coach in a space of two days to try to find each other on the field and try to read and understand where the next pass is going or where they need to be found on the field.
“They just need to feel confident to do it and that’s what we as a coaching staff [we will help them with]. We’re going to try to express them that it’s a good opportunity to play football. And that’s what they do usually.
“And that’s where our football players feel more comfortable and confident which is on the field.”
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