Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has recalled facing doubts following his appointment at the Buccaneers in 2022.
Having struggled for some time, ‘The Buccaneers’ were desperately in need of a turnaround.
The former Inter Turku mentor believes the club’s supporters anticipated the arrival of a renowned coach with an impressive CV and a history of winning silverware.
It raised eyebrows when Pirates instead appointed the relatively unknown 46-year-old Riveiro. At time he hadn’t yet won any major trophies as a head coach.
RIVEIRO SAYS HE KNEW HIS ARRIVAL WOULD BE CONTROVERSIAL
“I didn’t have an easy arrival here in South Africa. That’s the truth,” said Riveiro on BucsCamp.
“I was well-informed before I arrived on the reactions and the impact of my appointment among the football fans in the country.
“So, I’m not going to say it was surprise. The controversial part of my announcement.”
The Spanish coach says the questioning of his appointment was understandable considering the club’s state at the time.
PIRATES COACH – ‘PEOPLE WANTED SOMEONE WHO WOULD COME & CHANGE THINGS’
“It’s never been a problem for me to be honest. I’m a person who tries to understand who am I first in an organisation like this one,” added Riveiro.
“I’m just a small piece, just one more piece [at Pirates]. I was not an expert in South African football as well.
“It’s understandable that at that time people were waiting to have hope as the club was having a difficult period in terms of results and football.
“Fans were [expecting] someone who would come and change the things [quckly]. Usually, it’s easy to think that maybe big names or people with different CVs will be a solution, maybe it is. I’m not saying it’s not.
“It was difficult for them [fans] to give me the opportunity in the beginning to say, ‘let’s look at the capability of this guy or what he can put on the table’. And somehow it’s understandable.”
Having spent over two years in South Africa, Riveiro has won five trophies with Pirates – three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups. With his contract ending in June, his future at the club is uncertain.
RELATED STORY: Jose Riveiro craves more Pirates-Sundowns thrillers
