Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has recalled being labelled a “plumber” during his early days at the Buccaneers in 2022.
Riveiro arrived at Pirates tasked with revitalising a side that had struggled with inconsistency in previous seasons.
Despite Josef Zinnbauer leading them to an MTN8 victory, the team continued to struggle, ultimately leading to the German coach's resignation.
Riveiro believes that Pirates fans likely yearned for a big-name coach with a proven winning pedigree.
While he acknowledged he wasn't that figure initially, he was confident in his capacity to forge a winning team with the Soweto giants.
His subsequent achievement of five trophies – three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups – underscores his success.
RIVEIRO ON OVERCOMING HIS DOUBTERS
“I didn’t have an easy arrival here in South Africa. That’s the truth,” said Riveiro on BucsCamp as quoted by FARPost.
“I was well-informed before I arrived on the reactions and the impact of my appointment among the football fans in the country.
“So, I’m not going to say it was surprise. The controversial part of my announcement.
“It’s never been a problem for me to be honest. I’m a person who tries to understand who am I first in an organisation like this one.
“I’m just a small piece, just one more piece [at Pirates]. I was not an expert in South African football as well.
“It’s understandable that at that time people were waiting to have hope as the club was having a difficult period in terms of results and football.
“Fans were [expecting] someone who would come and change the things [quckly]. Usually, it’s easy to think that maybe big names or people with different CVs will be a solution, maybe it is. I’m not saying it’s not.
“It was difficult for them [fans] to give me the opportunity in the beginning to say, ‘let’s look at the capability of this guy or what he can put on the table’. And somehow it’s understandable.”
