Former Kaizer Chiefs skipper Itumeleng Khune has shared his thoughts on the recent announcement of Jose Riveiro’s departure from Orlando Pirates, suggesting it has unsettled the team mentally and affected their performances on the pitch.
Riveiro, who is set to leave the Soweto giants at the end of the current season, has enjoyed a successful run with Pirates, having already clinched five trophies. The Spanish tactician still has the opportunity to add a sixth if the Buccaneers overcome Kaizer Chiefs in this weekend’s Nedbank Cup final.
Having worked with Riveiro during the 2024 Carling All Stars event, Khune said the timing of the coach’s exit announcement couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“I think the news came too soon. It disrupted the players’ mindset,” Khune told Soccer Laduma. “You can see their form has dropped. When you know a coach is leaving, it plays with your head. Some players may wonder if the new coach will favor them or bring in his own people.”
Khune elaborated on the uncertainty such transitions create within a squad: “You’ve worked hard, won the coach’s trust, earned your spot, and now suddenly it feels like you’re back to square one. Mentally, that’s draining.”
While Khune admitted that he personally never had issues adjusting to new coaches due to his consistent performances, he acknowledged that not every player reacts the same way.
“You can tell it’s not physical fatigue—it’s mental. Some guys are probably thinking, ‘Why go all out for someone who won’t be here next season?’ That kind of thinking is hard to shake.”
As the Nedbank Cup final approaches, all eyes will be on how Pirates respond to the pressure and whether they can stay focused despite the looming leadership change.
