Jose Riveiro holds back emotions as Orlando Pirates journey nears end

The serial cup winning coach, who will be leaving Pirates at the end of the season after a trophy-laden three-year stay with the club, opened up about how deer The Buccaneers will always be to him.

The Spaniard gave an emotional speech during his post-match press conference after overseeing a 1-0 aggregate victory over MC Alger at Orlando Stadium last night, saying his life will never be the same again.

"You want me to get emotional now – no way! My life will never be the same after being here as a Pirates coach, what else can I tell you? It's a big change in my life," said Riveiro.

"I'm not talking about football, I'm not talking about games, I'm talking about all of the things you're saying – the way the people express themselves towards me, it's something special.

"But the sacrifices are part of my job, I'm here for that reason, I'm here with that mandate, we're here to try to do everything in order to put the club in a space that a club like Pirates deserves and the fans want us to be in.

"Trust me, we know how important football is to them – we're talking about something more than just winning one game or not, it's a lot of things as a society.

"And yeah, I know it everyday when we wake up in the morning, when we go to training, we know what we're playing for and for who.

"But I think it's still seven or eight weeks, hopefully, together here and hopefully we can go until the last stages of every competition, and for sure it's going to be special.

"Like I've said, everywhere I go, my life will never be the same after being the Pirates coach because this is not just one more club, it's a very special one."

READ: Riveiro: CAF inter-club success a great ad for PSL football