Rivera started his managerial career with
Leganés youth team in 2007. He then proceeded manage different local clubs, worked as a
scout and
analyst for
Celtic and
Atlético Madrid C. In 2018, he was appointed as the head coach of
Brunei U21 team. In 2018 he joined
East Bengal as an assistant coach and video analyst, along with head coach
Alejandro Menéndez. He left after the end of the season and was replaced by
Josep Ferré. On 23 January 2020, Rivera rejoined East Bengal as the head coach after Alejandro Menéndez stepped down. On 1 January 2022, Rivera was again appointed as the head coach of
East Bengal in
Indian Super League, succeeding
Manolo Díaz following the latter's midway resign during the tournament. On 20 September the same year, he was unveiled as the head coach of the
Brunei national football team, returning to the Abode of Peace four years after coaching the Under-21s for the
2018 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. He successfully coached the Wasps to
qualification for the
2022 AFF Championship in November. He was relieved from his post in June 2024. In February 2025, Rivera was announced as part of a new backroom staff at
Al-Nasr, becoming assistant to
Miguel Ángel Gamondi. == Managerial statistics ==