Premier League legend, 49, takes over as manager of non-league minnows in shock move 12 years after hanging up boots

FORMER Newcastle United Icon Nolberto Solano is returning to the north east to take charge of non-league outfit Blyth Spartans.

The 49-year-old, affectionately nicknamed Nobby Solano, is returning to English football for the first time since he retired in 2012.

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Solano has penned an initial 12-month contract with the side who have just been relegated from the National League North after a 21st placed finish.

The 95-time Peru International has explained how his former Hartlepool and Leicester teammate Steve Howard was a big part in convincing him to join the project.

Howard is the current Sporting Director of Blyth and helped show Solano the direction that the club are heading in.

Solano said: “It’s a wonderful challenge, I’m really pleased. One of the reasons I accepted is the way my ex-teammate, Steve Howard showed me the ambition of the club which is something I love.

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"It will be a great opportunity to work with the local lads. I know Blyth very well. It’s a very popular team in the North East.

"I’m very excited, with these wonderful players and the new owner,
we need to to work hard, work together and get back up into National League North."

Solano has experience in management as the former boss of Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes where he guided the club from a relegation battle to a top half finish.

While he was most recently in charge of Swedish third tier club AFC Eskilstuna where he was in the dugout for just 11 games.

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He also spent seven years as the assistant manager of the Peru national team where he helped the nation reach their first World Cup since 35 years back in 2018.

Blyth chairman Ifran Liaquat explained how Solano's experience at the top will help the club succeed going forward.

He said: "We are delighted to introduce Nolberto Solano as our new first team manager.

"A highly talented individual with the perfect blend of
skills, expertise, and plenty of flair.

"His exceptional talent, coupled with his extensive network, positions him to achieve great success with as we start our rebuild.

"I believe Nobby holds the key to what we’ve potentially been missing previously."

Solano has plenty of experience on the pitch as well as in the technical area with over 300 Premier League appearances to his name.

The midfielder played for Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham in England's top flight before going on to have spells in his home nation of Peru and the Greek second division.

He later returned to England to play lower down the Football League with Leicester and Hull before hanging up his boots at Hartlepool in 2012.

Solano is a hero in Peru where he is considered one of the most famous celebrities in the country - so much so that his wedding was broadcast on national television.

While he is heralded by Toon fans not only for his playing ability, but his musical talents too.

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Solano was noted for his trumpet playing abilities and even formed his own salsa band named The Geordie Latinos.

On the pitch he played with some of the greats of the game including Alan Shearer at Newcastle and Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors.