Former AS Monaco President Jérôme de Bontin Takes over for Soler

Discussion in 'New York Red Bulls' started by Slim_Tim501, Oct 2, 2012.

  1. Slim_Tim501

    Slim_Tim501 Member

    May 19, 2010
    North Jersey
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  2. dark knight

    dark knight Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 15, 1999
    Club:
    Leicester City FC
    I loved the Heck change, this makes me nervous. Are we re-inventing the wheel again? I hope not.
     
  3. Metrosuccess

    Metrosuccess Member

    Jan 6, 2000
    NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Han
    Han s should have been let go, not Soler!
     
  4. Metrosuccess

    Metrosuccess Member

    Jan 6, 2000
    NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bad timing should have waited until season was over.
     
  5. iced1776

    iced1776 Member+

    Dec 4, 2009
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Soler may have botched some trades over the summer of 2011 but he's done a great job overall since he started, especially this year I think he assembled a fantastic squad with a mix of internationals, Americans, veterans, and young guys. I'm really surprised to see him go, I wouldn't have minded at all if he stayed on next year with a different coach.
     
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  6. iced1776

    iced1776 Member+

    Dec 4, 2009
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nobody said Hans won't be out too when its all said and done.
     
  7. dark knight

    dark knight Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 15, 1999
    Club:
    Leicester City FC
  8. FlipsLikeAPancake

    Jul 6, 2010
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Odd timing. I've felt most of the moves this year have been quite good. It seems to me there is an adjustment phase for foreign executives to learn how to operate under the restraints of MLS rules. I sure hope this new guy is brought up to speed quickly.
     
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  9. Woodrow

    Woodrow Member+

    Dec 7, 2001
    Brick City
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
  10. wandering soccerdog

    Mar 29, 2003
    And still, Peter Wilt sits on the bench.

    This change is a bit of a head scratcher. The learning curve for a "foreign" general manager in MLS is usually severe. The new guy was educated in the U.S. apparently, but how much time has he spent here? How well does he know the ins-and-outs of MLS player acquisition rules?

    This franchise is at a very critical juncture timing wise.

    It's a general rule of thumb in the sports business that there is a three-year "bump" after a team moves into a newly built stadium. Attendance spikes for a bit, but after three years the newness fad is over and crowds revert back to their previous size. (I haven't looked at the numbers recently, but did a bump ever actually happen in the first place -- with any sizable increase?)

    2013 will be "season four" in Red Bull Arena. No more "bump."

    And it all comes after Chris Heck obliterated the season-ticket-holding fanbase in Sections 125, 126 & 127.

    If this team really wanted to do something good, they could start by rolling back the season ticket prices to pre-Heck levels, issue a public apology, and invite back all the former season-ticket holders who fled when prices unfairly doubled.
     
  11. Thomas A Fina

    Thomas A Fina Member

    Mar 29, 1999
    Hell
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Still tone deaf.

    Still clueless

    Still aimless

    Why now? Why fire someone who after dealing with learning on the job did quite well navigating MLS this year? Why replace him with a money man? or more strangers to MLS?

    Red Bull still prefers to be outsiders to MLS

    A stupid and pointless decision.

    Idiots
     
  12. iced1776

    iced1776 Member+

    Dec 4, 2009
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    You have to figure Hollier is just taking the GM title as a placeholder till next year... right???
     
  13. kokoplus10

    kokoplus10 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 5, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    STUPIDEST. F#CKING. MOVE. EVER.

    Soler built a deep talented team from a flaming pile of $hit in only 2 1/2 seasons. THIS is his reward?

    I f#cking hate the Red Bull brand. What a bunch of f#cking idiots.

    Drinking Monster from now on.
     
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  14. metz

    metz Member

    Jan 17, 2003
    Undoubtedly they are clueless, but the change isn't bad at is seem, Soler will remind as a "Adviser", so he will continue having for this couple of months the last word and advice....And maybe they want to have this people at hand before the Drafts and the Pre-Season and that is a good thing to do, the only reproach against them is, why this people have to be outsiders?....
     
  15. theENFORCER

    theENFORCER Member

    Apr 10, 2010
    NY
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Soler was a good GM but if this hiring means Backe will get the boot and a competent HC will come in then I'm for it. What coach can it possibly be? Harry Redknapp? Kenny Daglish? McLeish? Fabio Capello lulz?
     
  16. dark knight

    dark knight Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 15, 1999
    Club:
    Leicester City FC
    I don't disagree with the conclusion (although I'll still drink Red Bull), but...I'm not as pissed about this. Soler seemed like an arrogant jerk and fired ABMOD at the beginning of the season - karma is a beyotch. Sure he was learning, but sticking with Backe, spending millions on guys like Rafa and Cahill, trading a bunch of guys for DeRo and then bailing on him, etc. It's a mixed bag. I like Cahill but he doesn't even begin to move the needle in ways he needs to, and I'd be okay with firing Soler just for giving Rafa 4 years.

    On the one hand it's short-sighted and stupid, but on the other, if you are going to spend millions on guys like Rafa and Cahill, they better freaking deliver on and off the field. I like Cahill and the jury is still out on him - it is definitely an adjustment to this league, but he's not the sexy DP Red Bull wants. It's dumb but I get it.

    We could certainly win this year, but we aren't even close to being favorites and if we lose? I'd be totally fine with firing him, especially if we lose because of Backe stupidity. That's on Soler.

    It's weird timing, it's not what solid decent organizations do, but until we hire Peter Wilt, I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for Red Bull to do things the right way.

    Soler had his chance, he was improving, but ultimately, can you honestly say we'd be that different a team minus Cahill and Rafa? That's a lot of cash for not much production.
     
  17. defendyourself

    Jul 13, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Timing is odd, very big surprise, but as many have said I am indifferent to this move. The GM can't do much for the rest of the season, but I will be curious how this affects what we do next year as all DP slots are taken (unless Rafa is gone). Though the way the article states it Houllier is the actual GM in US terms and de Bontin is taking over for Chris Heck. They just called de Bontin GM so we have one
     
  18. Black Tide

    Black Tide Member+

    Mar 8, 2007
    the 8th Dimension
    Maybe I am missing something here but it does not say that Soler was let go out right. I kind of feel like this is more of a demotion than anything. And it also does not seem to indicate that Hollier is actually coming here. So it would make sense that Soler actually stays on as an adviser to Hollier in NY. Which would mean Hollier has the finally say on all transactions. That would actually make a great deal more sense.
     
  19. KareemSoda

    KareemSoda Member

    Jan 23, 2003
    Not in NY
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Interesting article on the switch in the Post. They suggest that the change had to do with the organizations return on their investment. I think we will hear much less talk about expensive expenditures, like a training ground, in the future. Also we will see a change in the way the talent on the teams are put together in the future. While we will still have a couple designated players, I suspect the 2nd tier players will be less expense. No more Sebastian Le Touxs sitting on the bench.
     
  20. Metrosuccess

    Metrosuccess Member

    Jan 6, 2000
    NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We did the same thing with Agass when we got rid of him. Advisor is a way of saving face maybe.
     
  21. SlowFox

    SlowFox Member

    Aug 16, 1999
    You'd better watch your back. You make too much sense.

    Oh, and, BTW, Red Bull isn't worried about the fans: along with de Bontin and Houllier they will be bringing in their own fans from Austria to populate the stands, for at least the rest of the season. :)
     
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  22. metz

    metz Member

    Jan 17, 2003
    That is true, but in the other hand you will have some body with experience at hand on MLS stuff; to ask for directions that can help a lot to a new comer.....
     
  23. Rooney20

    Rooney20 Member+

    Jan 8, 2007
    New York
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I doubt Soler is with the club past January and as far as a new comer, I just think that is speculation, I have not read anywhere that Houlier is looking for someone to replace Soler.
     
  24. jeremydneezy

    jeremydneezy Member

    Dec 12, 2011
    Greenville, SC
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Soler had finally turned the corner in my opinion on player acquisition and roster construction under the auspices of the MLS structure. But he is responsible for the failures of Backe, Heck, overpaid DP Marquez, etc. It's been a mixed bag for sure.
    I do not like the timing of this move though. I have to believe that the financial situation must be pretty bad currently for De Bontin to ascend to this post now. RBNY must be hemorrhaging money and De Bontin has been tasked with righting the ship, much like his tenure at AS Monaco. I worry that enduring yet another front office's learning curve will keep the Red Bulls treading water.
    I would assume it's now MLS Cup or bust for Backe.
     
  25. packy

    packy Member

    Mar 21, 1999
    Exactly right. My guess is that season ticket renewals was the final straw.
     

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