Jose Riveiro details why he dumped Orlando Pirates to join Al Ahly ahead of the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup - 'It was by far the best option...'

Jose Riveiro stepped down from his role as Orlando Pirates coach towards the end of the 2024/25 season.

After his decision to leave the Buccaneers, the Spaniard resurfaced in Egypt, where he was appointed as Al Ahly coach.

He now explains why he left the Soweto giants, a club with which he won five Cup finals.

“That was a little bit of a strange narrative about my decision,” said Riveiro as per iDiski Times.

“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.

“And for me to find a place where I can continue with my formation with the possibility to challenge myself in a different environment," added the Spaniard.

“[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.

“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."

The Al Ahly job is Riveiro's second in Africa after making his continental debut at Piratres.

He is in a hot seat where most coaches do not last long and become villains overnight, even after winning major trophies.

The Spaniard would be hoping to guide the Cairo giants to the Caf Champions League title, a trophy he struggled to win at Pirates.

Riveiro's first real test as Al Ahly coach comes on Sunday when he leads them to a 2025 Fifa Club World Cup clash with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

He would be hoping to make a good impression at this tournament ahead of the new season in which he would be competing in different competitions.