Nolberto Solano explains what made him take the job as manager of Blyth Spartans

Nolberto Solano explains what made him take the job as manager of Blyth Spartans, who were recently relegated from the National League North.

𝐍𝐨𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫

🔗 https://t.co/fJDyihH1da#HowayBlyth 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/uJJZsLfM5H

— Blyth Spartans (@Blyth_Spartans) May 3, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT

Blyth Spartans are delighted to announce Nolberto Solano as the new First Team Manager.

With a professional playing career that spans almost 20 years which included 233 appearances at locals Newcastle United, Nobby joins Spartans on an initial 12-month contract, as they start their preparations for the Northern Premier League.

Chairman Irfan Liaquat said on the appointment, “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.”

Nobby, who started his managerial career at Newcastle Benfield back in 2012 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 some I love. 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 work hard, work together and get back up into National League North”.

Steve Howard, Sporting Director for the Club, said, “I am absolutely delighted my ex-teammate has decided to join Blyth Spartans as first team manager.

“His wealth of experience and coaching skills will be invaluable.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with Nobby to create a team that will get back to the level they should be, and ultimately bring success to the club for years to come.”

Nobby is joining Blyth with an already blossoming coaching CV which has seen him take Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes from a relegation battle to a top half finish as manager and helping lead Peru to their first World Cup in 34 years as assistant manager in 2018.

Welcome to Blyth, Nobby!

HIS CAREER

Youth career
1987–1990 – Alianza Lima
1991–1992 – Sporting Cristal

Senior career
1993 – Sporting Cristal – 23 games (1 goal)
1993 – Deportivo Municipal – 27 games (7 goals)
1994–1997 – Sporting Cristal – 136 games (53 goals)
1997–1998 – Boca Juniors – 32 games (5 goals)
1998–2004 – Newcastle United – 233 games (38 goals)
2004–2005 – Aston Villa – 52 games (9 goals)
2005–2007 – Newcastle United – 81 games (10 goals)
2007–2008 – West Ham United – 23 games (4 goals)
2008 – AEL – 17 games (2 goals)
2009 – Universitario – 32 games (10) goals
2010 – Leicester City – 13 games (0 goals)
2010–2011 – Hull City – 13 games (0 goals)
2011–2012 – Hartlepool United – 16 games (2 goals)
Total – 656 games (114 goals)

International career
1994–2009 – Peru – 95 games (20 goals)

Managerial career
2012 – Universitario
2013 – José Gálvez
2014 – Internacional de Toronto
2015–2022 – Peru (assistant)
2019–2020 – Peru Olympic
2023 – AFC Eskilstuna
2024– Blyth Spartans

Twitter users had their say after Nolberto Solano explains what made him take the job as manager of Blyth Spartans…

@Kelsss574: Up the nobby solano

@davehoey81: This is either gonna be utterly terrible or phenomenal. I’m here for it.

@Adamuddgren1: Won’t last 2 month

@JoeToonMad1: Exciting move but seems to be more of a publicly stunt.

@Leetheyakker: Let’s hope he doesn’t go AWOL at the drop of a hat good luck Nobby

@isaac_mccourt: we might be a banter club

@ToonArmy_18_92: 😁 That’s amazing, good luck Nobby

@ThomasPollard07: Still April first aye?

@JulioGeordio80: Good luck Nobby

@colin_sisson: When you’re several seasons deep into a @FootballManager save…

@79Ackers: I had to do a double take at this one….

@DewiHughes_: So back. Outrageously back.

@frostyjr88: Unbelievable this .. Wor Nobby #NUFC 👑 📢 Howay Blyth

@lucasbha1: God non league is a beautiful thing

@TimHickman1994: This is going to be VERY funny

@POF_Reviews: Unexpected but entirely welcome. Hope he’s brought his trumpet 🎺🍺⚽️

@JamesSCFC_: Non-League is amazing

@LeeCuth25: Only going to end one way this 🚮

@mightywhitespod: Love real-life Football Manager.

@Fred4003607: Nobby Solano’s Green and white army. #HowayBlyth

@micky_quinn: Get the fuck in!! 🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺

@FMJambo51: Appointments 10 years into a Football Manager save be like:

@DavidGrant0778: Massive news. Howay Nobby! #HowayBlyth #Solano 🟢⚪️🟢

@SheridanSparkes: I beg your fucking pardon

@Leasky_1_5: Of course he is 🤣

@tomhwilliams23: Nobby Solano is the new Blyth Spartans manager. One normal day of non league football is all I ask

@darlouncovered: Oh good grief. New owners who think a name people know from days gone by is what they need rather than a manager who knows north east non league inside out. But I feel their pain, we too have made managerial appointment mistakes.

https://t.co/5Iy4EahPD3 pic.twitter.com/iC54vCfeSp

— Adam Upsall (@adamupsall) May 3, 2024