Jose Riveiro: Pressure Mounts on Al Ahly to Sack ‘Unqualified’ Former Pirates Coach

• Jose Riveiro is under pressure at Al Ahly after the Egyptian giants poor performance since his arrival from the Premier Soccer League
• The Red Devils have been told to let go of the former Orlando Pirates head coach as he is not fit for the role
• The Spanish tactician could be shown the exit doors in a few days after Al Ahly lost to their bitter rivals, Pyramids FC

Al Ahly has been told to sack their current head coach, José Riveiro, after just three matches into the 2025-26 Egyptian Premier League season. The pressure mounts as the Spanish tactician has managed only one win from the Red Devils' first three league matches this season.

The 49-year-old left Orlando Pirates for the Egyptian giants at the end of last season, with the Premier Soccer League giants replacing him with Moroccan coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, this summer.

Riveiro's first test was at the FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States, but he failed to impress as the Egyptian side failed to win any of their games in the competition.

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Al Ahly is the most successful side in CAF Champions League history, but they failed to reclaim the title last season after being knocked out of the competition by Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final. Pyramids FC went on to win the 2024-25 edition.

The Red Devils' failure to win the Champions League led to the sacking of Marcel Koller.

Al Ahly told to sack Riveiro

Former Al Ahly star Ahmed Abou Moslem has called upon his ex-employers to let go of Riveiro, claiming he's not the right manager for the Egyptian giants.

"Of course, a narrow loss is better than a long run of wins," he remarked, clearly sarcastic. "This coach is simply not qualified to lead Al Ahly, and his own statements prove that. After drawing with Modern Sport, he went to the media and claimed that a draw is better than a defeat."

The former Al Ahly left-back also argued that the pressure of managing the Red Devils is far greater than anything Riveiro experienced at his previous side, Orlando Pirates.

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"Football in South Africa operates differently," he added. "The pressure from Orlando Pirates fans doesn’t compare to what he’s experiencing at Al Ahly. Over there, style often takes priority over silverware.

"Orlando Pirates have perhaps reached the CAF Champions League final twice in their entire history. At Al Ahly, the standard is clear: you’re expected to make the final and win it every single time."

Popular journalist, Micky Jnr, reported that Al Ahly have called for a meeting with Riveiro after the club's 2-0 loss against Pyramid FC in their last league match.

Reactions as Al Ahly set to sack Riveiro

Real_RIvolution said:

"Winning the MTN 8 is not a measure of how good you are as a coach. To win the MTN 8, you only need to win 3 games. This plumber is now being exposed in Egypt. He was hyped by SA journalists for winning MTN 8, a person trophy."

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Tech_carnly wrote:

"Mamadou said a mouthful he dished Pirates because he wanted to coach in Club world cup here is the Price now,not more than 5 league games he will be gone because he was chasing personal glory now he will be fired Jose when Pirates played Ahly he was busy with contracts there."

BKmbhele shared:

"He made biggest mistake of his life leaving Orlando Pirates."

Fist_10 reacted:

"He is definitely catching a flight home to his wife."

derickmoremi added:

"There is no peace in Al Ahly 😔 Jose must just resign."

Ouaddou set goals for Pirates after beating Sundowns

Briefly News also reported that Abdeslam Ouaddou has set a goal for Orlando Pirates after they knocked out Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8.

The Soweto giants progressed to the final of the competition and would face Stellenbosch FC in a replay of last season's showdown.

Source: Briefly News