Jose Riveiro confirms he will leave Orlando Pirates as team struggles to stay focused in Johannesburg after treble hopes collapse

The timing couldn’t have been worse. Just when Orlando Pirates fans were dreaming of a historic treble, everything began to fall apart—and many believe it all started the moment Jose Riveiro announced he would be leaving the club.

What was supposed to be a strategic and transparent move by the coach may have backfired, unsettling the team at a crucial point in their campaign.

Pirates’ Dream for a Treble Slips Away

Since Riveiro, 49, made the announcement about his departure, things haven’t gone well for the Sea Robbers.

They’ve been knocked out of the CAF Champions League and are now practically out of the race for the league title.

To make matters worse, they’ve suffered back-to-back losses—their first consecutive defeats this season.

Fans and critics alike are questioning the timing, suggesting that the news may have disrupted the squad’s focus and momentum right when they needed it most.

Riveiro Defends the Timing of His Exit Announcement

Speaking to the media, Riveiro explained his reasons for coming forward early.

According to him, it was all about transparency and maintaining control over the narrative.

“I thought it was the right thing to do,” Riveiro said.

“By announcing it now, we avoid unnecessary rumors and speculation. It keeps things calm inside the club.”

He also added that while it might be unusual for a coach to announce their exit while still in the middle of the season, it won’t be the last time this happens. “I think we handled it well,” he added.

A Solid Track Record That Could Still End on a High

Since taking charge of Orlando Pirates, Riveiro has guided the club to five trophies.

With only the Nedbank Cup still up for grabs, he has one last shot at signing off on a high note.

If the Pirates manage to beat their fierce rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, it could be the perfect parting gift—a final trophy to cement his legacy before moving on.

All Eyes on Riveiro’s Final Matches

Whether or not his early announcement hurt the team’s form, the spotlight is now firmly on how Riveiro finishes the season.

Will he manage to rally the troops and secure one last piece of silverware?

Pirates fans will be hoping for a strong finish, even if the treble is now out of reach.