I'm a cult hero who learned to play an instrument while bored, now I want a Prem job
NEWCASTLE hero Nolberto Solano is eager to get a management or coaching opportunity in English football.
Since retiring as a player 12 years ago, he has managed four clubs in three countries: his native Peru, Canada and Sweden.
He was also Peru's assistant boss when they qualified for their first World Cup final in 36 years in Russia in 2018.
The 49-year-old is now back living in his 'second home' in England and believes he has the management experience to be involved in this country.
He said: “I am proud of the fact that I was the very first Peruvian player to play in the Premier League.
“I fell in love with the game here and I have a great desire to be involved in management and coaching in this country.”
After just 15 minutes of chatting with the ex-Toon star you can see why he became such a popular player at St James' Park.
However, behind his vibrant personality lies a steely dedication and determination to be as successful in the dugout as he is on the field.
Solano said: “I'm the youngest of seven, so me and my siblings were always playing football.
“It was my father who really helped me achieve my breakthrough.
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“He was a taxi driver and during one of his fares he spoke to a football contact at Sporting Cristal and suggested they give me a trial. I must have made an impression because I made my debut for them when I was 17.
“We won the equivalent of the Premier League in Peru three seasons in a row: in 1994, 1995 and 1996.
“When the opportunity arose to move to Boca Juniors in Argentina in 1997, I grabbed it with both hands.
“I felt it was a new step in my career. In fact, when I joined, Diego Maradona and Claudio Caniggia had returned to the club, so I spent as much time as I could watching and learning from them.”
His big opportunity to play in England came through an agent, Tony Henry, who had worked with Kenny Dalglish.
Solano added: “Moving here was a huge change in many ways.
“I mainly 'learned' the language through the chat in the dressing room, with most of the swear words first, followed by the rest later!
“Shortly into Kenny's second season as boss at Newcastle he was replaced by Ruud Gullit.
“The club went through a lot of player changes so it was difficult to get any kind of continuity with our results.
“Then Sir Bobby Robson arrived at St James in 1999” and there was a real buzz back.
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“But my one big disappointment from my eight years at the club over two spells was that I was never able to help the club win trophies, which the fans absolutely deserve.
“I also had nice spells at Aston Villa and West Ham, before spending a season with Larissa in Greece and back to Peru and Universitario.
“I was tempted back to England again through Nigel Pearson, who played for Leicester in 2010, and when he moved to Hull he was keen for me to join him there.
“If I have one regret about my playing career, it is that I played 95 times for my country, but I could have played many more.
“Instead, I stayed with my clubs and missed friendlies with Peru.
“It should have been 120 to 130 international matches.
“I have learned so much about management over the past twelve years and I am ready and prepared for my next opportunity.”
A smiling Solano also talks animatedly about his love for salsa and trumpet playing.
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He said: “As a child at school I was always fascinated by playing a brass instrument.
“So when I was in Argentina and was a bit bored after training, I thought I would try to learn how to play.
“Then I came to England and after living here for a few months I heard one of my neighbors playing music: piano and violin.
“I knocked on their door and told them about the music and how I wanted to learn to play the trumpet and whether they knew anyone who could help me.
“The next thing I had was a rat-a-tat on my door and these two nice guys – one with a trumpet and the other with a bass – came in, sat me down and taught me.
“They are still good friends to this day, they come over for dinner.
“Even today I'm not very good with a trumpet.
“Let's put it this way: if I stood on the street and played the trumpet, I don't think many people would leave money behind – only possibly out of sympathy!
“But I like the sound. I am a real salsa music lover. I like to feel like I'm a very social, happy person and I think salsa is happy and cheerful just like me.”
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