Nolberto Solano takes the managerial reins at Blyth Spartans

The 49-year-old trumpet-playing Peruvian, who spent seven-and-a-half years at St James’ Park across two spells and also played for Aston Villa, West Ham, Leicester – where he was a team-mate of Spartans’ sporting director Steve Howard – Hull and Hartlepool, has been handed an initial 12-month contract.

He replaces Jon Shaw, who parted company with the club in the wake of their relegation from National League North.

Solano said: “It’s a wonderful challenge, I’m really pleased. One of the reasons I accepted is the way my ex-team-mate, 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 to work hard, work together and get back up into National League North.”

Solano’s coaching career to date has seen him drag Peruvian side Universitario de Deportes out of a relegation fight to a top-half finish as manager, and help his native country reach the 2018 World Cup finals as assistant.