Al Ahly coach Jose Riveiro has denied reports that he quit Orlando Pirates because he wanted to be close to his family.
The Spaniard opted against extending his deal with the Soweto giants after it expired, and took the Red Devils' offer. In a recent interview, the tactician further revealed that he can now be close to his wife and daughter. The revelations hinted that family could have been one of the reasons why he left the Premier Soccer League.
However, Riveiro has poured cold water over those claims, terming them as strange since they played no role in his decision to leave Bucs. He argues that his exit from the Buccaneers might be a blessing in disguise.
‘Al Ahly gives you a platform to continue growing'
“That was a little bit of a strange narrative about my decision,” the tactician responded to SNAWA when asked about the claims.
“I’ve never said I’m going because of the distance, family things, and stuff like that. It was more about feeling that my time in the club was a really good one for all of us, and it was time for me, and I think it’s also positive for Pirates to continue in a different way, try to find a different challenge, and for the club to also find someone to continue the journey, to take the team to the next level as well.
“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.”
‘I'm used to being alone'
“It was by far the best option I had to continue with my development in the time that I had to make a decision, and that’s all, that’s all. In the end, the distance from your own country and from your family can be a problem, but it’s not the only one,” Riveiro continued.
“I mean, in the end, in my position, when you think about taking your family with you, it is not an easy decision that is not related, trust me, to the distance. It’s more about our role in the club. The possibility that you change, maybe your family life, but in the end, maybe after two months, you have to be back.
“I’m used to being alone. I’m used to being far from everything. I’m used to concentrating on my job, and that’s what I do, and that’s what I’m going to do here in Ahly as well,” he concluded.
Riveiro is currently with Al Ahly in the United States for the Fifa Club World Cup; their first assignment will be on Saturday against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
