Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has opened up about his imminent departure from the club after serving them with distinction for all of three years.
Riveiro will walk at 2010 World Cup final venue FNB Stadium, where his home nation defeated Holland, in the Soweto Derby for the last time when Pirates take on Kaizer Chiefs in a league match on Saturday.
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The Buccaneers announced last month that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Riveiro has already been linked to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, as exclusively revealed by KickOff.com on Monday.
The 49-year-old coach has won five trophies since joining three years ago and was unlucky not to qualify for the CAF Champions League final after his side lost 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids FC in the semi-finals last Friday.
"Personally, I am not the same person anymore. Obviously, it's been a journey. Three years at Pirates has been something special for many reasons," reflected Riveiro in the derby pre-match press conference.
"Obviously, having the opportunity to affect the lives of millions and the big responsibility, it's something like a privilege. At the same time, impressed with the league, impressed with the level of South African players in general, not only my players. I am really not surprised anymore, so nice to coach here and have this level of players under your control.
"Yeah, (to) personally have the opportunity to work with exceptional human beings, especially the group of players this season… They know, I always tell them every day how happy they make me as a coach and as a person. We have a relationship that will last forever.
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"Yeah, I will be back one day, hopefully as a tourist or, who knows, back at Pirates as well one day. So happy, so thankful to work in the league like this and be part of the history of this club," he went on.
Riveiro will then face Amakhosi again in the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10.