Solano takes charge as Pakistan head coach, vows to build competitive football culture

KARACHI: Newcastle United cult hero Nolberto Solano officially arrived in Pakistan on Saturday, receiving a warm welcome at the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) headquarters in Lahore as he assumed charge as head coach of the national senior and under-23 teams.

Also Read: Pakistan omit Babar Azam, Rizwan from Asia Cup T20 squad

The former Peruvian wing wizard, who thrilled fans during his Premier League career, carries a rich coaching pedigree. His standout achievement came in 2018 when, as assistant coach, he helped guide Peru to their first FIFA World Cup finals in 36 years.

“We need to work really hard to make Pakistan competitive at international level,” Solano said in an interview with the PFF media team. “My ambition is the same as everyone in the federation. We want a solid foundation and a strong league that allows local talent to flourish.”

Emphasising his attacking philosophy, the 50-year-old said he wants Pakistan to play with purpose. “We need to build a team that is brave, that plays attacking football to win games,” he added.

His first challenge comes next month when Pakistan face hosts Cambodia, Iraq and Oman in Group ‘G’ of the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. “We need to focus and develop a strong mentality,” Solano stressed. “We’re going to Cambodia with the goal of qualifying for the tournament finals.”

Solano, however, underlined that he would not rigidly follow one system. Instead, he intends to adapt his strategy based on the players’ strengths. “I believe we can play different systems depending on the players,” he said. “We will know their true potential when training begins.”

The training camp for the Under-23 probables kicks off in Abbottabad on Sunday, as Solano sets the tone for a new era in Pakistani football.