The Little Maestro sets sights on biggest challenge yet

Yahoo

a day ago

Twelve months ago the well-travelled South American was just weeks into his short-lived stint with non-leaguers Blyth Spartans and earlier this year he returned home to manage Peruvian second division side Santos FC Nazca.
But Solano will be watching his former clubs do battle in this weekend's Premier League opener from his hotel room in Lahore after taking on what many believe will prove to be his toughest test yet.
"I like to start from scratch in a job, whatever it is," said the 50-year-old. "There's something exciting about being there at the beginning and helping to shape the future.
"The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has big plans for football in the country and with a population of more than 250 million - plus all of the Pakistani communities across the world - the potential is there for all to see.
"If, in the short term, I can find even 50 committed players who are passionate about playing for Pakistan and determined to improve as footballers then that's a great starting point.
"I've been very impressed with what PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani has to say about professionalising football in Pakistan, developing youth football and reaching out to players around the world.
"In the short term I have Olympic qualifiers to prepare for but beyond that it's a very exciting project."
Solano enjoyed two hugely successful spells on Tyneside between 1998 and 2007, scoring 37 goals in 230 top flight games. In between times a player dubbed the Little Maestro by the late Diego Maradona played 49 Premier League matches for Villa.
"I can't wait to see how both clubs get on this season," he added. "There's not always been the expectation to compete for the title at Newcastle and Villa like there is at Liverpool or Arsenal but that's changing.
"And with that greater expectation comes increased pressure. Both teams have got a taste for Champions League football and now that level has become the norm.
"The two clubs have something else in common: managers who are clever coaches capable of raising the levels of the players around them.
"Both Eddie Howe and Unai Emery know they need deeper squads and more experience to compete year in, year out at the highest level but both have a fantastic track record for identifying the right players to fit their systems.
"You never learn too much from pre-season - players are trying to avoid injury and stay fresh - but on Saturday lunchtime we'll start to find out what both teams can bring to the table this season."
Solano knows fans raised eyebrows when news of his latest move leaked out last month.
But Peru's former assistant coach is determined to broaden his footballing horizons and amass the experience he requires to take the next steps in a colourful career.
"Any time you get the chance to manage a national team it's a great honour," he added. "It's a privilege to lead a great sporting nation like Pakistan.
"I'm always up for a challenge and I'll do whatever it takes to become a better coach.
"Of course I'd love to manage great clubs like Newcastle or Villa one day but I know an opportunity like that doesn't come along very often.
"In the meantime I'm not afraid to work anywhere in the world and when I took the call from Mr Gilani I knew this was a chance too good to miss."
Solano learnt of the opportunity to manage in Pakistan via a friend who used to drive the former Boca Juniors favourite home from St. James' Park.
"We've always stayed in touch and he has family from Pakistan," he explained. "Word reached him that Pakistan's new president was keen to forge closer links with FIFA and grow the game over there.
"That's how it all happened. The national team won its first ever World Cup qualifier against Cambodia two years ago and reaching the Asian Cup is a target.
"I love foreign cultures and history and moving to a new continent to help an emerging football nation achieve something special is exciting.
"When I'm back in the UK - in between international windows - I'll be strengthening relationships with players of Pakistani origin based in Britain and trying to persuade them that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"I've already had expressions of interest from players in the Championship, League One and League Two and for this to work I'll need their support.
"But I have a lot of experience of the challenges of international management from my time with Peru - both as a player and a coach - and that's not a problem.
"I've never set foot in Pakistan before but it feels good to be part of this project. Let's see how far we can go."