Al Ahly Show Former Pirates Coach Jose Riveiro the Door After Shocking Defeat
In a move that has surprised many, Al Ahly have officially parted ways with Spanish coach José Riveiro after just weeks in charge. His tenure came to an abrupt end following a 2-0 defeat to Pyramids FC on Saturday, 30 August, a result that proved to be the breaking point for the Egyptian giants.
Club officials wasted little time in making a decision, with the board meeting extensively on Sunday before announcing that the relationship had been terminated by mutual consent.
Al Ahly Official Statement
Al Ahly confirmed the development through a detailed statement, expressing gratitude towards Riveiro and his technical team.
“The club thanked Mr. José Ribeiro, the technical director of the first football team and his assory for the past period, and the contractual relationship was terminated by mutual consent,” read the statement.
It further explained that the decision followed lengthy discussions between the Planning Committee, club president Mahmoud Al-Khatib, and sports director Mohammed Youssef. Reports from both the sports director and Riveiro were considered before the final call was made.
“In its session with José Ribeiro, the committee confirmed its appreciation for what he has done since taking office, and that he made a lot of effort, but the results did not help to complete the experience, at a time when the club seeks to achieve the great ambitions of its fans at the local and continental levels,” the statement continued.
The committee also revealed that discussions are ongoing to finalise the next technical body to lead the team in the upcoming phase.
Also read: Ex-Orlando Pirates Boss Jose Riveiro Pledges Loyalty to Club
From Success at Pirates to Struggles at Al Ahly
Riveiro’s departure is particularly striking given the success he enjoyed during his time in our country with Orlando Pirates. The Spaniard made his mark in South African football, lifting five trophies in three seasons with the Buccaneers.
In his final year at Pirates, he also guided the Soweto club to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, a feat they had not achieved in a decade. That reputation, built on silverware and consistency, made his move to Egypt one of the most talked-about coaching switches in African football.
However, the demands and expectations at Al Ahly are notoriously high. Even respected coaches often find themselves under immense pressure to deliver instant results. For Riveiro, the poor start and Saturday’s damaging defeat proved too much to recover from.
What Lies Ahead for Riveiro and Al Ahly?
For Riveiro, the sacking means he is now back on the market, with his track record likely to attract suitors across Africa and beyond. Given his success in the DStv Premiership, speculation may even arise about a possible return to the league in the future.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly must act swiftly to restore stability. Their ambitions on both domestic and continental fronts remain high, and the choice of the next coach will be crucial as they chase further CAF Champions League and Egyptian Premier League glory.
Pirates March On Without Their Former Boss
Interestingly, Riveiro’s former club, Orlando Pirates, appear to be moving in a positive direction under new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. After a shaky start to the Premiership campaign, the Buccaneers have settled into form and are preparing for the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch, aiming to secure a fourth consecutive crown.
While Al Ahly look for answers, Pirates are chasing more silverware, a sign of how quickly football can change fortunes on the continent.
Related article: Jose Riveiro to Become Africa’s Highest-Paid Coach with Al Ahly Move
