Jose Riveiro remains modest over restoring Orlando Pirates glory days

Pirates face Stellenbosch FC in this evening’s MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with the Soweto giants aiming to become the first-ever club to win the competition three times in a row.

Riveiro has already led the Buccaneers to their last two Wafa-Wafa titles at the same venue, while also claiming back-to-back Nedbank Cup crowns, but he still refuses to take personal credit.

"Somehow, the way I understand my role in the team is a true reflection of the way I understand my participation in the team's success – the players are the show, not me," said Riveiro.

"They are there to entertain the fans, to win games, to play good football, and I'm trying to help them – it doesn't mean that I'm not expressing much, or that I'm not proud of them.

"And it's not about how proud I am of myself, I'd rather feel that my players are proud of the coach and the staff they have that help them – the players are the protagonists of this game and this show, trust me."

The 49-year-old, who joined Pirates from the Finnish league in 2022, won his first trophy with the club just three months after taking over from Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids, and his first job was to restore the belief within the dressing room.

"My intention from the first day was to make sure that they the ones running the show, the ones who we cannot replace, so it's a privilege for us to be here with them," he added.

"To have this level and quality of players, who are the reason we are capable of playing finals and fight for titles, to continue inspiring our fans and people, and that's why – like I said many times – I'm trying to behave according to [the standards] I set for them everyday."

READ: Mandla Ncikazi: Working with Jose Riveiro has improved my coaching