Former Newcastle United midfielder Nolberto Solano has joined up with Peru"s coaching staff for the 2015 Copa América.
The 40 year-old, who last played for Hartlepool United in 2012, has previously managed Torneo Descentralizado de Fútbol Profesional Peruano outfit Universitario and worked with Internacional de Toronto in Canada.
He has been brought in by the Peruvian Football Federation [FPF] to work alongside Head Coach Ricardo Gareca.
Speaking to local radio RBC, Solano explained what his role would entail and believes he can be a link between the players and management.
“I will remain close to the players and, as I know a lot of them that are still playing, I will explain their routines and how they like to do things to professor Gareca," he said, as reported by website CA2015.
Solano represented Peru 95 times at international level, scoring 20 goals. With the national team, he won the Kirin Cup twice [1995 and 2005], but didn’t have success at the Copa América, despite featuring in three editions of the competition – 1995, 1999 and 2004.
Peru missed out on qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but will feel they have a chance of impressing in Chile.
They have been drawn in Group C alongside Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil and open their campaign against the latter on 14th June at Estadio Municipal Germán Becker.