Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says he will not respond to his doubters after he was criticised when he was appointed head coach of the Buccaneers.

The Spanish coach won his first piece of silverware with the Soweto giants after they were crowned 2022 MTN8 champions.

The Buccaneers lifted the top eight title of they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over AmaZulu after Monnapule Saleng scored the decisive goal at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this past weekend.

Riveiro, who was criticised by many upon his appointment as head coach, is now preferring to stay grounded and focus on improving the team rather than responding to his haters.

“I’m not here to respond to that. I’m here to do my job,” said Riveiro was quoted on Sport24.

“I’m a football coach, and I was prepared to do it, and that’s why I get the opportunity to be part of this beautiful club.

“I also want to thank my bosses for giving me the opportunity to represent a brand like Pirates. We are doing a good job together.

“I’m just a coach. There are a lot of things around the football game that we need to work on that need to be well-oiled. I have a responsibility, obviously.

“I understand as coaches, we are in the spotlight for different reasons, especially when we lose. But there’s nothing I can do about it; I cannot control it. I don’t spend time thinking about it, and this is not revenge.

“We did what we were supposed to do together, as football staff, management, all the people around the team, we did it together, and I’m very proud.”

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