The Spanish guitar bows out early but leaves a lasting legacy at Pirates

JOSÉ Riveiro will officially vacate his post as head coach of Orlando Pirates today, after the club granted his request to be released before the end of the season, with his last match in charge the Sea Robbers Betway Premiership clash last night against Golden Arrows The early departure has disrupted the club's original plans to give him a fitting send-off, following his decision not to renew his contract next month.

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But regardless of the timing, Riveiro will leave Pirates as a bona fide club legend, having etched his name into the records during his three-year tenure.

Riveiro reached seventh heaven Riveiro became the first Pirates coach in the PSL era to win the opening seven league matches of the season, surpassing Roy Barreto's six-game winning streak during the 2002/03 campaign.

Barreto's early success laid the groundwork for a title-winning season, and expectations were high that Riveiro would follow a similar path.

However, it wasn't to be. Pirates struggled to balance their domestic and continental commitments, which led to them dropping crucial points in the Betway Premiership title race.