Riveiro was already set to depart the Soweto giants at the end of the season, but Pirates chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza confirmed on Monday morning the coach had been granted an early release.

"Jose approached us a few weeks ago with a request to be released from his contract ahead of schedule, having signed with a new club," Khosa said in a statement.

"Given the timing; amidst a series of crucial fixtures - we believed it was best to delay this announcement until after the Nedbank Cup Final. His contribution since joining the Club has been immense. We learned a lot from him, and he learned a lot from us.

"While we would have preferred to formally honour him with a proper send-off, we fully respect his decision to depart before the end of his tenure."

Coach Riveiro leaves behind a legacy of excellence, having turned Pirates into a formidable force once more with a remarkable record in Cup competitions that includes three successive MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cup trophies.

"I want to express my sincere appreciation to Orlando Pirates for allowing me the opportunity to leave before the end of my contract. As someone who has never found goodbyes easy, this moment is particularly emotional for me," Riveiro told orlandopiratesfc.com.

"I am deeply grateful to everyone at the Club - from management and technical staff to the players and the many individuals behind the scenes who work tirelessly to support the team.

"To the players, thank you for believing in the journey we shared and for giving everything on the pitch. And to the supporters. When I first arrived, I challenged you to come out in your numbers and rally behind your team. You did that, and more. You turned every match into a moment to remember, and your passion is something I will carry with me forever.

"Thank you for allowing me to be part of this great Club's story."

Pirates have asked their fans to come out in numbers at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night when they face Arrows to give Riveiro a rousing send-off.

The remaining matches of the season will be overseen by Assistant Coach Mandla Ncikazi, who will take charge of the team on an interim basis. He will be supported by Head Performance Analyst Rayaan Jacobs and the rest of the Club’s technical and support staff.

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