Orlando Pirates made headlines on Monday morning by confirming that head coach Jose Riveiro has been released from his contract ahead of schedule. The Spanish coach had requested an early exit after sealing a deal with a new club.
In a statement released by the club, Chairman Irvin Khoza revealed that Riveiro approached management weeks ago with the intention to leave before the end of the season. Although the club would’ve preferred to see out the season with him, they chose to respect his wishes. The official announcement was held back until after the Nedbank Cup final.
“Jose asked to leave early, having already signed with a new club,” the club stated. “Given the important matches we had lined up, we chose to delay the announcement until after the final. He’s had a major impact on the club during his time with us, and while we would have liked to give him a proper farewell, we understand his decision.”
While the announcement sparked plenty of speculation, it didn’t take long for Riveiro’s next destination to surface. According to Egyptian outlet Yallakora, the Spanish tactician is on the verge of joining African giants Al Ahly.
The publication reported that Al Ahly and Riveiro have reached a final agreement, with the club now finalizing the details before he officially signs. Riveiro leaves Pirates after an impressive run, having won five domestic trophies between July 2022 and May 2025.
His final game in charge ended in disappointment, as Pirates lost 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final – denying him a flawless record in domestic cup finals.
