José Riveiro breaks silence on Al Ahly exit, insists respect and legal process will guide his response

Former Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly head coach José Riveiro has addressed his departure from the Egyptian giants, insisting he will not publicly revisit the circumstances surrounding the termination of his contract.

In a carefully worded statement, the Spanish tactician stressed that he has deliberately avoided speaking about his spell in Egypt out of respect for both the club and its supporters.

“Since I left Al Ahly, I have chosen not to speak about my time at the club out of respect for the club and its fans,” Riveiro said. “I turned down more than 50 requests for press and media interviews in Egypt.”

The 48-year-old, who previously guided Orlando Pirates before his move to North Africa, added that he had maintained strict silence despite widespread media interest in his tenure and exit from one of Africa’s most decorated clubs.

Riveiro further clarified that he would not engage in public discussion regarding the termination of his contract, indicating that the matter has now been placed in the hands of his legal representatives.

“As for the details surrounding the termination of my contract, I will not speak on the matter and will leave it to my lawyer,” he stated. “Any statements coming from other people do not represent me.”

The comments come amid continued speculation in sections of the media about the circumstances of his departure from Cairo, with differing accounts circulating since his exit.

Riveiro’s remarks suggest a firm stance of non-engagement, underscoring a preference to settle any contractual or legal issues away from the public spotlight while distancing himself from unofficial narratives.

His tenure at Al Ahly, though closely followed, ends with questions that remain unresolved in the public domain, even as the coach signals that his focus now lies away from media exchanges and firmly within formal legal channels.