Former teenage coach and journalist, who wouldn't board a plane to save his life, is a Pirate

Orlando Pirates have got a new head coach - and he's a colourful character! Spanish tactician Jose Riveiro took over what is undoubtedly the most challenging job in his career thus far.

The 46-year-old tactician was never a professional footballer, which instantly separates him from the vast majority of coaches in the game today. This guy was very young when he realized he would never be good enough to play at a high level - so he turned to coaching.

He started studying for coaching certificates and was given a chance to take charge of boys' sides at local clubs in his native city of Vigo. After completing his initial coaching course, he got the opportunity to better himself by working for the club he had supported since he was a boy - Celta de Vigo. Working with Under-11, Under-15 and Under-18 teams, Jose made steady progress within La Liga club while also working as a sports news reporter for a local newspaper. But then, his career took an unusual turn.

In 2014, Riveiro was introduced to former Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United striker Shefki Kuqi, who was just beginning his managerial career in his homeland of Finland. Kuqi offered Riveiro a chance to be his first assistant at Finnish top-tier club Honka. It was an excellent opportunity to work with the first team at a professional club, but there was a problem. The much-desired job was some 4,000 kilometres away - and Riveiro is scared of flying. So he did the only thing he could - he took a 73-hour trip on a bus.

16.00: (2.55) Adama City (2.65) Dire Dawa (3.20)

After five years and working as an assistant at three top-tier Finnish clubs, he was given his first job as head coach at Inter Turku. The best he could do is reach the second spot in the league - but it seems to have been enough to convince Orlando Prates' bosses to hand him a three-year contract to take over the Mighty Buccaneers. Riveiro arrives in Johannesburg with fellow Spaniards Sergio Almenara as an assistant coach and Miguel Bellver Esteve as a fitness coach.

"I would like to send a greeting to all the fans of Orlando Pirates. I am delighted to have joined the club. The Pirates project is an exciting one, and I look forward to what lies ahead. It is an honour for my colleagues and me to have the responsibility to coach such an institution and compete for the highest goals."

Pirates fans aren't exactly delighted with the appointment, especially after the names of former South African star Benni McCarthy, Pitso Mosimane and Dan Malesela have been mentioned in the press as potential managers. Riveiro's failure to win trophies so far is viewed as a bad sign in the year the club is celebrating its 85th anniversary. It will be a massive jump in expectations and a very different league for the Spaniard, but he believes in his ability.

"We are going to work to make history together and build a team that we are all proud of."

Orlando Pirates finished sixth in the South African Premiership last season, 21 points behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The new season is set to kick off on 12 August.