Former Newcastle United, Leicester City and Aston Villa star Noberto Solano has been named as the new manager of sixth-tier outfit Blyth Spartans, the non-league club have confirmed.
Solano had an esteemed playing career. Moving from Sporting Cristal, where he made his professional debut, to Boca Juniors and playing alongside the late, great Diego Maradona, the midfielder eventually plied his trade in England, playing for a number of teams across the top three levels of the English pyramid.
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Having worked with Nigel Pearson at Newcastle United as a player, the latter brought him to Leicester City where he played 13 times for the Foxes before following Pearson to Hull City a few months later. At the MKM Stadium, the veteran played with the likes of the current head coach Liam Rosenior.
Solano eventually retired from football at Hartlepool when the club were in England’s third tier and moved into coaching, most notably acting as the assistant manager of the Peru national team for seven years, helping the South American side to reach the 2018 World Cup under Ricardo Gareca.
Now, Solano will take charge at Blyth Spartans who play in the National League North and have suffered five straight league defeats. Speaking in a club statement announcing his appointment, the 49-year-old admitted that it’s a “wonderful challenge” and a “great opportunity”.
โItโs a wonderful challenge, Iโm 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 some I love. It will be a great opportunity to work with the local lads.
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ซ
๐ https://t.co/fJDyihH1da#HowayBlyth ๐ขโช๏ธ pic.twitter.com/uJJZsLfM5H
— Blyth Spartans (@Blyth_Spartans) May 3, 2024
“I know Blyth very well. Itโs a very popular team in the North East. Iโm 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 Northโ.
Writer’s View
Steve Howard, whom Solano played with during his time at Leicester City, is currently the Sporting Director at Blyth Spartans and has convinced him to join. It has certainly helped boost the club’s media attention for a short while.
Solano hasn’t been overwhelmingly successful in his post-playing career, apart from his time on the coaching staff with Peru, but this represents a new opportunity to take the Green Army to where the board wants them to be and hopefully he is given time to do so.
