Latest news with #BlythSpartans
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Little Maestro sets sights on biggest challenge yet
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."
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blues striker could face dad in National League season
Carlisle striker Luke Armstrong and father Alun, the new manager at Gateshead (Image: Newsquest) A Carlisle United striker could potentially face his father in the upcoming National League season following Gateshead's announcement of a new manager. The Heed have appointed a new first-team manager, Alun Armstrong, whose son is the Blues' striker Luke Armstrong. Advertisement Alun Armstrong arrives at the Gateshead International Stadium to take on his third role in senior management, after previously managing Blyth Spartans from 2016 to 2019 and Darlington from 2019 to 2023. Luke Armstrong spent the second half of last season out on loan in the Scottish Premier League at Motherwell, where he appeared 14 times, scoring four goals. The meeting of the pair may not occur, with the frontman's future at Brunton Park unclear. But Armstrong is rated by Blues boss Mark Hughes, who has suggested that he wouldn't have let the striker go north on loan. 'He's a player I've admired from afar for quite some time," Hughes told the News & Star in May. "I've tried to buy him in the past, so that shows that I rate him. 'I think at National League level he's been there, he's prospered there, so I think having him back at the club would be a good thing.'
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gateshead appoint Armstrong as new boss
National League side Gateshead have appointed Alun Armstrong as the club's new 50-year-old replaces Carl Magnay who resigned earlier this month after a run of just five wins from the final 22 games of the season meant the Heed missed out on a play-off spot."I see it as a challenge, and it's something I'm really excited by," Gateshead-born Armstrong told the club website., external"I want to bring some of the identity back to this club that I think it used to have."Armstrong has previously had spells as manager of Blyth Spartans and his playing career, striker Armstrong had notable spells at Stockport County and Ipswich Town, where he scored the winning goal against Inter Milan in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Larne sign defender Ridley as Want departs
Larne have signed defender Matthew Ridley after the departure of Scottish centre-back Shaun Ridley becomes Nathan Rooney's first summer signing as he arrives from Northern Premier League side Blyth Spartans, a club he captained last 25-year-old has also had spells with Billingham Town, Chester-Le-Street Town, Whitby Town and League Two side Sutton United."I'm really pleased to bring Matt to the club. He'll add nicely to our defensive options, making this part of the squad a really competitive unit," Rooney told Larne's website."His energy and passion for the game is something I have been aware of for a while and I am looking forward to working closely with Matt on his next stage of his career."Ridley will replace Want, who leaves the club upon the expiration of his contract, returning to Scotland for family 28-year-old was a mainstay for the side after arriving from Hamilton Academical three years made 104 appearances for Larne, winning two Gibson Cups, two County Antrim Shields and helping them to qualify for the league phase of the Uefa Conference League for the first time."The club respects Shaun's decision to put family first and wishes him the best of luck at his next club," said the club in a post on Omar, Joe Besant, Sean Brown, Olatunde Bayode and Harrison Panayiotou have also left the Inver outfit upon the expiration of their contracts.
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Larne boss Nathan Rooney pleased to add Matthew Ridley to his ‘amazing' squad
Larne have signed centre-back Matthew Ridley, who was previously with Northern Premier League side Blyth Spartans.
