The newly appointed head coach of Al Ahly Jose Riveiro has responded to claims that he left Orlando Pirates due to family reasons.
Riveiro abruptly parted ways with the Sea Robbers with just four games remaining in the 2024/25 season, signing a two-year deal with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
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The 49-year-old Spaniard took charge of the Soweto giants in 2022 and enjoyed a successful spell, winning five domestic cup titles, including three MTN 8 trophies and two Nedbank Cups.
Despite his on-field success, Riveiro had previously expressed how difficult it was to spend time with his family in Spain, at one point admitting he deeply missed his wife and children.
This led to the speculation that he would eventually leave Pirates to reunite with his family. However, Riveiro surprisingly moved to Ahly, rather than returning home, and that sparked criticism from some Bucs supporters.
Now, Riveiro has spoken out to set the record straight, insisting that his decision to join the 12-time CAF Champions League winners had nothing to do with family.
"That was a little bit of a strange narrative about my decision. I have never said that I'm going because of the distance, or family things or stuff like that," Riveiro said on the Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube.
"It was more about feeling that my time in the club was a really good one for all of us. It was time for me and I think it's also positive for pirates to continue in a different way, and try to find a different challenge for the club.
"It was time for the club to find someone to continue the journey, to take the team to the next level as well. And for me to find a place where I can continue with my formation, with the possibility to challenge myself in a different environment.
"Al Ahly is also a club that gives you the platform to continue growing and winning and I think it's a good step for me. It was by far the best option that I had to continue with my development, that's all," he added.
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"In the end, the distance between your own country, with your family, can be a problem, but it's not the only one. I mean, in the end, in my opinion, when you think about taking your family with you, it's not an easy decision, that is not related, trust me. It's more about our role in the clubs, the possibility that maybe you change your family life, but in the end, maybe after two months you have to be back."
Photo Cred: Gallo Images
