Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is consistent in portraying himself as a good teacher who won't take credit for his students' brilliant passing marks, preferring to see them being the ones lavished with praise for their efforts.
Every time someone asks Riveiro why he barely shows emotion celebrating his success of winning four domestic trophies out of five since his arrival as an unknown entity two years ago, the Bucs coach points to his players.
Pirates enter their third consecutive MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, where Bucs will be out to become the first three-time winners in succession of the tournament.
When Riveiro arrived in July 2022, having finished third with Inter Turku in the Finnish Veikkausliiga top-flight, some football hacks in South branded Riveiro just another 'plumber', a derogatory name given to foreign coaches who arrive with little pedigree and prove huge flops.
But Riveiro wasted no time proving himself in his first few months, helping Pirates beat AmaZulu 1-0 to capture the 2022-23 MTN8, before wrapping up that season with a triumph over Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup final.
Riveiro and his team read from the same script last season, beating Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties at Moses Mabhida to defend the MTN8 in October last year before beating the Brazilians again in Mbombela (2-1) to defend the Nedbank Cup in June.
Orlando Pirates coach Jośe Riveiro on the #MTN8 final against Stellenbosch on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium. pic.twitter.com/SSXJhTU8QZ
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) October 1, 2024
Now standing on the cusp of leading the Buccaneers to a third successive title in the MTN8, something no other club has done since the competition's inception in 1972, Riveiro declined to be singled out as the one who has led the charge of Pirates' fortunes in domestic cup competitions.
“You want to talk about my behaviour [towards the club's success]?” Riveiro responded when a reporter posed the question of why he's become known for expressing no emotion at the club's success.
“But it's somehow the way I understand my role. It's a true reflection of the way I understand my participation in the team's success.
“The players are the show, not me. They're there to entertain the fans, to win games, play good football. I'm trying to help them, but that I'm not expressing my happiness so much doesn't mean I'm not proud of them.
“It's not about how proud I am of myself. I'd rather feel that my players are proud of the coach and coaching staff they have. Players are the protagonists of this game and of this show, trust me.
“My intention is to make sure it's like that — that they are the ones running the show, they're the ones who we can't really replace. It's a privilege for us to be here with them, to help this quality of players.
“They're the reason we're able to play in the finals, to fight for titles and to continue inspiring our fans and our people. That's why I'm trying to behave according to what I'm expressing to them.”
Bucs skipper Innocent Maela says there was no doubt among the players from the moment they started to work with Riveiro that they had a chance to do well with him.
“I've sat here so many times and I've given credit to the coach and the technical team on how we prepare for matches and how everyone is involved. He gives the best to everyone to express themselves,” Maela said.
I knew from the very first moment that I'm coming to a club that is representing huge amounts of people and that's enough for me to understand the responsibility of the task. The relevance of our job is about how many people are interested in how we're doing. We're giving our all even though we're not in control of the results.
— Jose Riveiro
“We've seen examples in the previous seasons, but honestly from day one, we knew we have a good coach, a good human being and a father figure to us. From the first day we only wanted to play our best for him. It's been a good journey so far. He demands the best from us.”
It has not been as rosy for Pirates in the Premiership where they've played second fiddle to Sundowns. Riveiro believes with consistency and ability to give all the matches equal attention, this could be the season Bucs arrest the dominance that has brought the Brazilians seven successive league titles.
In the coach's previous two seasons, slow starts proved costly as Pirates ended as runners-up to Downs, but by huge 16- and 23-point margins. This campaign Bucs have started well in the Premiership, winning all their three matches against Chippa United, Polokwane City and Richards Bay — the kind of smaller names they tended to unnecessary squander points against before.
“I knew from the very first moment that I'm coming to a club that is representing huge amounts of people and that's enough for me to understand the responsibility of the task. The relevance of our job is about how many people are interested in how we're doing. We're giving our all even though we're not in control of the results,” Riveiro said.
Bucs have certainly had the look of a side giving their all going to eight wins and two draws from 10 matches in all competitions in 2024-25. Keep that up and more silverware, and yes, perhaps even a stronger challenge for the league title, should be the reward.
