Nolberto Solano, the former Newcastle United star and Peru international, has been appointed as head coach of Pakistan’s senior and under-23 football teams.
He will take over from Stephen Constantine, with his first major task being the AFC Under-23 qualifiers in September, where Pakistan will face Cambodia, Iraq and Oman. Solano will also oversee Pakistan’s remaining fixtures in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign, including a double-header against Afghanistan in October.
The appointment is the first significant move by the newly elected Pakistan Football Federation under president Mohsen Gilani. The federation welcomed Solano on social media, saying, “Under President Mohsen Gilani’s leadership, PFF proudly welcomes Nolberto Solano as head coach of Pakistan U23 with a pathway to the senior team. A true legend with EPL, World Cup and Copa América pedigree – it’s a new era for Pakistan football.”
Solano’s playing career was marked by versatility and success. He made over 500 senior appearances, including more than 300 in the Premier League, representing clubs such as Newcastle United, Aston Villa and West Ham United between 1998 and 2008. Among his achievements, Solano was part of the Newcastle squad that won the 2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup, earned the Newcastle United Player of the Year award in 2001-02, and led the Premier League in assists during the 1999-2000 season. Internationally, he earned 95 caps for Peru and competed in multiple editions of the Copa América.
After retiring in 2012, Solano transitioned into coaching. He built his reputation as assistant coach of the Peru national team, helping them qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, their first appearance in 36 years. He also managed Peru’s under-23 Olympic team, had coaching stints in Sweden with AFC Eskilstuna, and in England with Blyth Spartans. His most recent role was as head coach of Santos FC Nazca in Peru’s second division.
Stephen Constantine, who led Pakistan to their first-ever World Cup qualifying victory in October 2023, had been coaching on a match-by-match basis since his contract expired in November last year.