Published Date: 2025-05-12 12:25:13 Updated At: 2025-05-13 18:14:48

Al Ahly has reached a preliminary agreement with Spanish coach José Rivero, the current manager of South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, to take over as the head coach of the first football team, replacing Swiss coach Marcel Koller, who is close to leaving the club at the end of the current season.
Exclusive sources revealed that Al Ahly's management acted swiftly in the past few hours to finalize the appointment of the new manager. Direct communication channels were opened with the Spanish coach, who expressed initial interest in taking on the role, especially since his vision aligns with Al Ahly’s upcoming project, which aims to win domestic and continental titles and prepare for major tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup.

According to circulating reports, José Rivero is expected to arrive in Cairo in the next few hours to finalize the contract. The final terms of the deal, including the duration, salary, and benefits, will be discussed. It is confirmed that financial matters will not pose an obstacle in finalizing the deal, as the Spanish coach is flexible and appreciates the significance of Al Ahly.

The 48-year-old coach has made a name for himself in Africa in recent years, guiding Orlando Pirates to strong performances and competing for multiple titles. He is known for his flexible attacking style and his ability to develop young players, which aligns with Al Ahly's ambitions to rejuvenate the squad and promote promising youth from the academy.

Rivero, who began his career as an assistant coach at various Spanish clubs before his notable experience in South Africa, has shown enthusiasm for taking on a new challenge at a club with the stature and history of Al Ahly. He confirmed that he is ready for the challenges ahead, with a focus on competing for the CAF Champions League and reasserting local dominance.

The Spanish coach is expected to bring a team of 3-4 European assistants, including a fitness coach, performance analyst, and goalkeeper coach. It is anticipated that the official announcement will be made after Al Ahly's upcoming match against Bank Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League, following the completion of all official details and contract signings.

Internally, there is an agreement to retain Amad Nassar as part of the coaching staff, serving as a liaison between the new coaching team and the players. Additionally, Mohamed Shawky is set to return to the role of assistant sporting director to support the new coaching system with his extensive experience with the team.

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates issued an official statement this morning confirming the departure of their coach, José Rivero. The statement mentioned that Rivero’s upcoming match against Golden Arrows will be his last in charge, as he requested an early release from his contract, which was set to expire in June 2025. The club honored his request, respecting his desire to pursue a new challenge.

In their statement, the South African club expressed appreciation for Rivero’s tenure, highlighting his impressive performance and contribution to the team’s overall development, and wished him success in his next career move.

"Marcel Koller has officially ended his journey with Al Ahly, a period marked by successes and challenges, and the club now enters a new phase in its search for a manager that aligns with its goals for the next season."

It is worth mentioning that José Rivero has a solid resume and has attracted interest from several African and Arab clubs in recent months. However, Al Ahly’s choice was based on clear criteria set by the Planning Committee and the Football Committee, focusing on ambition, tactical development, and adaptability to Egyptian football.

The official announcement remains the final step before Rivero officially starts his role, with fans eagerly awaiting to see how the team will perform amid these upcoming coaching and administrative changes, which aim to maintain domestic dominance and regain the African title.