Could cup specialist Jose Riveiro transform Kaizer Chiefs?
Former Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro is reportedly back in South Africa,
Image: Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP
Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have done very well since replacing Nasreddine Nabi as co-coaches at Kaizer Chiefs, but one cannot shake the feeling that their appointment is a temporary one, and the club will move to a more established name when the season ends.
Unless the club mounts a serious title challenge and performs strongly in one of the Cup competitions, it’s almost certain they will be on the hunt for a new head coach at the end of the season.
One coach the club should take a look at is Jose Riveiro, the man who transformed Chiefs’ fierce rivals Orlando Pirates into a serious outfit now looking to topple Mamelodi Sundowns as the kings of South African football.
Of course, Riveiro – who is reportedly back in South Africa – has said in the past that he would never return to coach a team other than Orlando Pirates, but if the right offer came, he would no doubt consider it.
A proven cup specialist, Riveiro would bring Chiefs a genuine winning mentality. The Spaniard consistently navigated Cup competitions with poise. He also believes deeply in youth development and handed Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi their big breaks in the Pirates first team.
Chiefs have one of the best youth academies in the country, but they’ve struggled to maximise its output. Riveiro could finally create a meaningful bridge between Naturena’s development ranks and the senior squad, giving Chiefs a sustainable talent pipeline rather than relying on expensive external signings.
Tactically, Riveiro also knows how to get a team to click. He strikes a balance between pragmatism and attractive football. He can set up defensively to absorb pressure, yet also knows exactly when to hit teams on the counter.
Crossing to Chiefs would break the hearts of Pirates fans who once adored him. His relationship with their supporters was well documented. But there’s no such thing as loyalty in modern football.
And that is ultimately why Chiefs must be bold. Whether or not Riveiro is willing to cross the divide, Chiefs cannot afford another season of hesitation and half-measures. The club needs a clear identity, a coach with a proven track record, and someone capable of restoring a winning culture to Naturena.
That said, it would be unfair to ignore the work Kaze and Ben Youssef have done since stepping in. They have steadied a drifting ship, restored confidence in the squad, and brought much-needed stability back to Naturena. But even with those positives, their tenure still carries the air of an interim solution – a competent patch rather than a long-term project.
If Chiefs truly want to reclaim their throne, they need a kingmaker – and right now, no one fits that role better than Jose Riveiro.
IOL Sport
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@inl.co.za. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).