Red Bulls' Sporting Director?
Erik Soler, a former Norwegian international and player agent who has worked for IK Start, is the leading candidate to become sporting director of the New York Red Bulls, the Insider has learned. The choice of a European without any MLS ties to oversee team operations would likely lead to the hiring of a head coach with an MLS background.
Soler, 49, had 39 caps for Norway between 1982 and 1988 and played for several clubs, including Hamburg. In New York, Erik Soler would work with Erik Stover, the club's managing director.
I am awaiting comment from the Red Bulls. [UPDATE: The club confirmed that Soler is a candidate. An outside source said Soler was in New Jersey today.]
Other names mentioned for the job include MLS senior vice president Nelson Rodriguez and former Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo.
By
Steve Goff
|
November 18, 2009; 11:03 AM ET
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MLS
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Posted by: troy6 | November 18, 2009 11:16 AM | Report abuse
Are we sure that's not Daniel Day Lewis doing a little Method preparation for an upcoming role? Although I guess that would still be an improvement for the Red Bulls.
Posted by: Kenobi | November 18, 2009 11:30 AM | Report abuse
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/10390664/Former-Spain-coach-Aragones-seeks-new-job
Sure, we probably can't afford him, but it'd be worth a phone call. Who knows what kind of challenge he is looking for?
Posted by: Brian76 | November 18, 2009 11:31 AM | Report abuse
Does he have any idea how screwed up MLS personnel rules are? If not, he'll be gone in a year and continue spreading the Euro-mantra of "it wasn't that Im a bad coach, it's that those Americans just don't know how to play soccer."
Posted by: hacksaw | November 18, 2009 11:37 AM | Report abuse
Two interesting things from his Wikipedia page:
1. His middle name is Francisco, obviously an attempt to narrow the gap between the Red Bulls and the Northern NJ Latino Community
2. He is educated as a psychologist. Are we sure they're bringing him in as "Sporting Director?"
Posted by: I-270Exit1 | November 18, 2009 11:39 AM | Report abuse
Well, he looks bat-guano crazy enough to take the job.
Posted by: EdTheRed | November 18, 2009 11:43 AM | Report abuse
I'm thinking Al Pacino. "I'm going to take a flame thrower to this place!"
OT: A good read at http://locallanes.blogspot.com/
Posted by: joedoc1 | November 18, 2009 11:50 AM | Report abuse
that must be a snapshot of the part of his job interview when they explained the mls salary cap and roster restrictions to him.
Posted by: stairs | November 18, 2009 11:58 AM | Report abuse
Dude looks like Jackson Browne. Or like Jackson Browne a few years ago.
Posted by: OWNTF | November 18, 2009 12:08 PM | Report abuse
I hope he cleans up nice.
Posted by: I-270Exit1 | November 18, 2009 12:13 PM | Report abuse
i think the most interesting thing on his wikipedia page is his height, 5 ft 2 1⁄2 inches. if they hire the diminutive richie williams as coach they'll likely have to shortest brain trust in world football.
maybe they can bring earl boykins in to run the point. oh wait, the bullets, er, i mean wizards, already did.
Posted by: badeyes | November 18, 2009 12:18 PM | Report abuse
For those interested in Egypt-Algeria: http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1135950.html#watch+algeria+egypt+live+now
Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | November 18, 2009 1:10 PM | Report abuse
Algeria score in the (approximately) 40th minute
Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | November 18, 2009 1:13 PM | Report abuse
Wow, I can actually get that feed here.
Posted by: Reignking | November 18, 2009 1:13 PM | Report abuse
Algerian wonder goal in about the 35th minute! You remember that awesome volley goal Gallardo (who?) had for DCU last year? Kind of the same angle, only from way further out!
Posted by: edgeonyou | November 18, 2009 1:14 PM | Report abuse
I was just going to ask.. Thanks Jacob. No commentary, no time, no score. You're the man.
Posted by: DadRyan | November 18, 2009 1:14 PM | Report abuse
The amount of military/police personnel is reminiscent of a level on the new Call of Duty
Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | November 18, 2009 1:16 PM | Report abuse
OT.
Awesome local womens college player story.
No ponytails involved.
http://www.navysports.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/111709aag.html
Posted by: OWNTF | November 18, 2009 1:17 PM | Report abuse
usmnt lineup v. Denmark: Guzan; Hejduk, Spector, Bocanegra (c), Bornstein; Holden, Bradley, Clark, Feilhaber; Altidore, Cunningham
Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | November 18, 2009 1:31 PM | Report abuse
Greece go up 1-0 in the 30th
Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | November 18, 2009 1:34 PM | Report abuse
Algeria THISCLOSE to a second off a snap header. Fine save by the keeper
Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | November 18, 2009 1:52 PM | Report abuse
To be clear, Solér has not just worked for IK Start - he's a part owner. I asked a friend of mine at Nordic Football News who is an expert on Norwegian football about Solér and he had heard nothing about this.
Posted by: whoshotsam | November 18, 2009 5:06 PM | Report abuse
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that sounds backward. better a euro coach and a sporting director who has mls experience.
but wait...this is rbny we are talking about. i suppose we should be pleased they didn't pick a tennis coach.