‘I wish they can keep him’ – Happy Jele makes Riveiro plea to Pirates

Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has urged his team to do whatever they can and extend the contract of coach Jose Riveiro.

Riveiro is in the final season of his three-year deal with the Buccaneers but his stint has been marked by success on the pitch with five trophies already won, having claimed three straight MTN8 crowns, and two Nedbank Cups.

He is also challenging for the league title this season with his team joint top of the PSL table with Mamelodi Sundowns, after seven wins in eight matches, and Jele feels the Spanish tactician has surpassed expectations and deserves a new contract.

Riveiro has proved doubters wrong

“I’m definitely sure that he needs to extend. You look at his CV the way he started. No one believed that he’s a great coach, but he showed,” Jele told iDiski Times.

“They were calling him a plumber before, but he proved them wrong that he’s a good coach.

“In one season he managed to get two trophies, another one, two trophies. In his third season he managed to get one, so I don’t think there is going to be someone to break that record. So now he’s looking for another one, maybe he can take the treble you never know. It’s a matter of the way they play.

Will the Pirates coach extend his stay?

“If they really want it, they can go for it. But for me, coming from Pirates I wish they can keep him, extend maybe for another two years and let’s see because he’s proven people wrong that he is a great coach, and we have seen it.”

Riveiro arrived at Pirates in June 2022 amid skepticism from fans and pundits with questions over his credentials after his last job was an unconvincing stint at Finish club FC Inter Turku but he has changed the fortunes of the Soweto giants.

Pirates now have an indemnity and play an attractive brand of football which is yielding trophies with hopes that the league title, last won in 2012, could finally arrive at the Orlando Stadium.