Newcastle cult hero Nolberto Solano takes job at nearby non-league side Blyth Spartans

Newcastle United cult hero Nolberto Solano has landed a new role as manager of non-league Blyth Spartans.

Blyth, a town 13 miles away from the city of Newcastle, will be playing in the Northern Premier League next season having just been relegated from National League North.

A hugely popular figure around Tyneside, Solano spent eight years with Newcastle over two spells, making 172 appearances for the club.

He also spent time playing for Aston Villa, West Ham, Leicester and Hull City before hanging up his boots following a spell with Hartlepool.

Solano then made his first steps into management by taking charge of another non-league side, Newcastle Benfield, in 2012.

Despite spending much of his managerial career in Peru, Solano is based in the north east and has committed to an initial 12-month contract at Croft Park where he aims to see the Spartans to promotion.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Solano 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 something 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”.

As well as playing in the Premier League, Solano made 95 appearances for the Peru national team, scoring 20 goals.

He was also named Newcastle’s Player of the Year for the 2001/02 season as the Magpies finished fourth in the Premier League, securing qualification for the Champions league for only the second time in the club’s history.