Former AS Monaco President Jérôme de Bontin Takes over for Soler

http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news...-general-manager-sporting-director-erik-soler

Apparently he's on the board of trustees for the USSF and has made a respectable career in finance in addition to 10 years experience working with Monaco.

So here he is. This is the man that will either put an end to the miserable history of GMs had or continue the streak.

Han

Han s should have been let go, not Soler!

Bad timing should have waited until season was over.

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.

Nobody said Hans won't be out too when its all said and done.

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.

So the biggest decision for any GM is not his to make? How long before Houllier is standing next to the new coach during games?

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.

You have to figure Hollier is just taking the GM title as a placeholder till next year... right???

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?....

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?

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

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.

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.

We did the same thing with Agass when we got rid of him. Advisor is a way of saving face maybe.

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.

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.....

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.

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.

Exactly right. My guess is that season ticket renewals was the final straw.