Orlando Pirates announced on Saturday that Spanish coach José Riveiro will take over as the club’s new head coach, with Mandla Ncikazi set to be an assistant alongside other incoming staff.
After the departure of Fadlu Davids at the start of the month, the Sea Robbers needed to make a decision on who would lead the side into the new season with last season’s other co-coach Ncikazi still at the club.
While many local names were linked with the club, the club shocked many by announcing Riveiro as the new boss ahead of the new campaign.
The club also revealed that the Spanish coach will bring assistant coach Sergio Almenara, physical trainer Miguel Bellver Esteve and goalkeeper coach Tyron Damons, while Ncikazi will move back to his former role of assistant.
The club confirmed the three-year deal in a statement on their website, where Riveiro also expressed his delight at joining the club.
☠️ 🇪🇸 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗦É 🏴☠️
🖥 Read the Club Announcement 👉🏿 https://t.co/PCTf4T1U1F
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#WelcomeJose#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/0rmoKYAuUe
— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) June 25, 2022
“First of all, I would like to send a greeting to all the fans of Orlando Pirates. I am delighted to have joined the club. The Pirates project is an exciting one and I look forward to what lies ahead. It is an honour for me and my colleagues to have the responsibility to coach such an institution and compete for the highest goals.”
“Along with my support team, we are looking forward to arriving and joining the task force and the group of players to start working immediately.”
“We are going to work to make history together and build a team that we are all proud of.”
Riveiro’s last stint as a coach was at FC Inter Turku where he led the Black and Blues from 2019 to 2021.
