Without any major silverware in top-flight football to his name, his appointment surprised many. However, in just over two years, the Spaniard has proven his doubters wrong and is steadily cementing his place as one of the club’s most successful coaches.
Before joining Pirates, Riveiro’s coaching journey took him through Finland, where he served as an assistant coach at FC Honka before moving to PK-35 Vantaa and HJK Helsinki. He later became a head coach at FC Inter Turku.
His career began in Spain’s lower divisions, coaching CD Teis and Mondariz, before working in the youth ranks of Choco and Celta Vigo.
Riveiro’s appointment came at a time when Pirates were desperate for success. The previous coaching duo of Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids had taken the team to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup, only to lose to Moroccan side RS Berkane on penalties.
Despite their efforts, the club’s management decided to make a change. While Davids departed, Ncikazi stayed on as an assistant to Riveiro, who arrived with his own technical team.
Initially, Riveiro faced skepticism and harsh criticism. Many doubted his ability to handle a club of Pirates’ stature, with detractors even labeling him a “plumber.” However, the Spaniard remained focused and determined to prove his worth.
In his first season, he led the Buccaneers to MTN8 Cup glory before adding a second trophy by winning the Nedbank Cup. He also secured a second-place finish in the league standings. The following season, he cemented his reputation by successfully defending both the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies.
If that wasn’t enough to silence his critics, Riveiro made history by winning a third successive MTN8 Cup this season, becoming the first coach to achieve this remarkable feat. In recognition of his success, Pirates paid tribute to him, acknowledging how he had defied expectations.
“Riveiro, the once little-known Spaniard, faced skepticism from parts of the football community when he joined the club two years ago (2022),” the club wrote on their website last year.
“Critics questioned his so-called lack of experience, with some even resorting to derogatory labels, dismissing him as a ‘plumber.'”
Having led Pirates to five trophies in just two and a half years, Riveiro has proven his doubters wrong. However, one achievement still eludes him—a league championship title. In the past two seasons, Pirates have finished as runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns.
As things stand, Sundowns are once again dominating the league, leading the standings with 58 points from 23 matches. Pirates, in second place, have 43 points but have played only 19 matches. Overcoming the Pretoria-based giants will be a formidable challenge, but in football, nothing is impossible.
For now, Riveiro has done an outstanding job at the club. The Buccaneers have also reached the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup and remain in contention for CAF Champions League glory after advancing to the knockout stages of the continental tournament.
Whether he can add more silverware to his collection remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Riveiro has already left a lasting mark at Pirates, with the Spaniard having been in charge of the Buccaneers for more than 120 games – making him the first Bucs coach to reach that milestone in the PSL era.