Former Orlando Pirates head coach José Riveiro appears to have found his footing in Sweden, with AIK enjoying an impressive run of form that has lifted the club into the upper reaches of the Allsvenskan standings.
The Spaniard was appointed by the Swedish giants in January 2026 on a contract running until December 2028. While his tenure began with mixed results, recent performances suggest his ideas are beginning to take shape.
Difficult Start to Life in Sweden
Riveiro’s first competitive match in charge ended in disappointment as AIK suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Västerås SK in the Svenska Cupen.
The start of the league campaign offered early encouragement with a 2-1 victory over Halmstads BK, but inconsistency soon followed as AIK struggled to build momentum. Their difficult spell included a painful 4-2 derby defeat to Djurgårdens IF, leaving the club stuck in mid-table.
Momentum Building
After months of tactical adjustments, AIK now appear to be reaping the rewards.
Riveiro’s side are currently on a three-match winning streak, collecting back-to-back 2-1 away victories over IFK Göteborg and Mjällby AIF before recording a convincing 2-0 home win against GAIS.
The turnaround has seen AIK climb the table and emerge as one of the league’s in-form teams.
Familiar Signs for Pirates Fans
The recent improvement will look familiar to Orlando Pirates supporters, who watched Riveiro build one of the most successful periods in the club’s recent history through patience, structure and consistency.
Although still early in his Swedish adventure, the signs suggest the 49-year-old is beginning to establish the identity that made him such a respected figure in South African football.