Newcastle legend Nolberto Solano, 50, handed two manager's jobs at once in bizarre career move
SOL SEARCHING Newcastle legend Nolberto Solano, 50, handed two manager's jobs at once in bizarre career move
NEWCASTLE icon Nolberto Solano has landed two managerial jobs at once, less than a year after being sacked from an English non-league outfit.
Solano, affectionately nicknamed Nobby Solano, has been appointed as the manager of both the Pakistan national team AND their U23s side.
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Nolberto Solano has been announced as the new Pakistan and Pakistan U23s manager
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The retired midfielder is a Newcastle United cult hero
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The 50-year-old, who also laced up his boots for Aston Villa and West Ham during his playing days, was announced as the new boss of Fifa's 201st best side this week.
Mohsen Gilani, president of the Pakistan Football Federation, said in a statement: "We have hired the services of Solano with a hope that he will bring more energy and zest to the national players and lift our standings at the international level."
Pakistan have never qualified for a major tournament and are hoping that Solano can guide them there for a first time.
Solano will take charge of his first game as boss of the U23s in September when they take on Iraq, Cambodia and Oman in their bid to qualify for the U23 Asian Cup next year.
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While his stint as senior boss will begin in October with two clashes against Afghanistan for 2027 Asian Cup qualifying.
It's not Solano's first foray into international management, having spend seven years an assistant for the Peru national side as well as managing their Olympic team from 2019 to 2020.
As a player Solano racked up 95 caps for Peru, scoring 20 times.
His managerial career has seen him work all over the globe, taking charge of clubs in Peru, Sweden and Canada.
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Solano worked as the assistant manager for the Peru national team for seven years
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While he even had a short spell in charge of Northern Premier League Division One side Blyth Spartans in 2024.
However he was sacked after just six games into the season after failing to win a single match.
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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.
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While he is heralded by Toon fans not only for his playing ability, but his musical talents too.
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.
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