Jose Riveiro: Former Pirates coach sacked after seven games at Al Ahly

Former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has been sacked by Egyptian giants Al Ahly just three months into the job.

Riveiro joined Al Ahly at the end of May just before the club started their FIFA Club World Cup campaign but his spell has been underwhelming, as he has managed just one win in seven official matches.

The final straw for Riveiro was Saturday’s 2-0 league loss to African champions Pyramids, when Al Ahly looked out of sorts, as they were easily beaten by one of their title rivals.

Riveiro has been under pressure since the Club World Cup when fans were left unimpressed not just by the fact that the Cairo Red Devils exited the tournament without a win (two draws and one loss), but by what they deem a defensive approach from the Spanish mentor.

Al Ahly’s poor league start has cost Riveiro

Al Ahly have carried the poor form into the new season where their start to the league campaign has not been to their standards with supporters not happy with the results and style of football.

The record Egyptian champions have won one match, drawing two and losing the other, and by the time the team headed to Saturday’s match against Pyramids, Riveiro’s support among fans had waned.

After the loss, it was a matter of when not if Riveiro would be sacked, and following a meeting with Al Ahly president Mahmoud El Khatib on Sunday, a decision was made do part ways with the Spanish coach, whose contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

Riveiro had signed a two-year contract with Al Ahly, with the option for another, with the tactician terming it the club of his dreams since he considered the record African champions a ‘European club’ but it has unraveled quickly.