Erik Solér
Encyclopedia
Erik Francisco Solér is a former Norwegian football player, a former football agent
and currently a football commentator
for Champions League and national team games on Norwegian TV as well as General Manager/Sporting Director of New York Red Bulls on a part time basis. He is educated as a psychologist.
, playing as a midfielder
the first few years and later as a right back
. He left the club for a short stay in Eik-Tønsberg, until he was transferred to the German club Hamburger SV
. After one and a half season in HSV, he returned to Norway, signing for SK Brann. In 1988 he became Danish Cup
winner playing for AGF Aarhus, scoring a decisive goal in the final. His short stay in Denmark was followed by a second stay in Lillestrøm. Upon his return to Lillestrøm SK he helped the side capture the Norwegian First Division title in 1989, before retiring in 1990.
. He made his debut with Norway
in 1982. He earned his last cap for his country on July 28, 1988 in a famous 1-1 draw in Oslo
against Brazil
.
and Steffen Iversen
, among others, as clients. He was a co-owner and the board-leader of the Norwegian football club IK Start from 2002 to 2008. During his tenure at IK Start the club won the Norwegian First Division in 2004 and were thus promoted to the Norwegian Premier League
. The following season they ended the season with a surprising second place in Norwegian Premier League
, just one season after being promoted. For this, Start earned a place in the 2006 UEFA Cup
. Despite having several national team players Start was relegated in 2007. Start ran into financial problems and Soler left the club. The local government saved the club from bankruptcy.
On the 25th of November 2009 Solèr announced that he would be the next General Manager/Sporting Director of the MLS club New York Red Bulls, it was confirmed by the club on the 7th of December 2009. During his first year in charge of New York, Solér helped transform the club from a last place team to a title contender, signing players like Roy Miller
, Joel Lindpere
, Thierry Henry
, and Rafael Marquez
.
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
and currently a football commentator
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
for Champions League and national team games on Norwegian TV as well as General Manager/Sporting Director of New York Red Bulls on a part time basis. He is educated as a psychologist.
Club career
Solér started his career in LillestrømLillestrøm
' is a city in the municipality of Skedsmo, Akershus, Norway. The municipal administration is located in Lillestrøm.Facilities in Lillestrøm include hotels, Norway trade fairs, a brand new cinema, a mall, Lillestrøm torv, restaurants, a high speed commuter train that reaches both Oslo and...
, playing as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
the first few years and later as a right back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He left the club for a short stay in Eik-Tønsberg, until he was transferred to the German club Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
. After one and a half season in HSV, he returned to Norway, signing for SK Brann. In 1988 he became Danish Cup
Danish Cup
The Danish Cup is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. The cup has been contested annually since 1955...
winner playing for AGF Aarhus, scoring a decisive goal in the final. His short stay in Denmark was followed by a second stay in Lillestrøm. Upon his return to Lillestrøm SK he helped the side capture the Norwegian First Division title in 1989, before retiring in 1990.
National team
Solér has 39 caps for the Norway national football teamNorway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
. He made his debut with Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
in 1982. He earned his last cap for his country on July 28, 1988 in a famous 1-1 draw in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
.
Management
In the late 1990s, after ending his career as a player, he was one of Norway's most important football agents, having Erik MyklandErik Mykland
Erik Mykland - nicknamed Myggen , as he used to flap his arms and hands like one when celebrating his goals - is a retired Norwegian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
and Steffen Iversen
Steffen Iversen
Steffen Iversen is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Crystal Palace. He has earned four Norwegian league championships with Rosenborg and one with Vålerenga....
, among others, as clients. He was a co-owner and the board-leader of the Norwegian football club IK Start from 2002 to 2008. During his tenure at IK Start the club won the Norwegian First Division in 2004 and were thus promoted to the Norwegian Premier League
Norwegian Premier League
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
. The following season they ended the season with a surprising second place in Norwegian Premier League
Norwegian Premier League
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
, just one season after being promoted. For this, Start earned a place in the 2006 UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. Despite having several national team players Start was relegated in 2007. Start ran into financial problems and Soler left the club. The local government saved the club from bankruptcy.
On the 25th of November 2009 Solèr announced that he would be the next General Manager/Sporting Director of the MLS club New York Red Bulls, it was confirmed by the club on the 7th of December 2009. During his first year in charge of New York, Solér helped transform the club from a last place team to a title contender, signing players like Roy Miller
Roy Miller (footballer)
Roy Miller Hernández is a Costa Rican footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national football team.-Club:...
, Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...
, Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
, and Rafael Marquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....
.
Honours
- Norwegian Cup: 1981
- Danish CupDanish CupThe Danish Cup is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. The cup has been contested annually since 1955...
: 1988 - Norwegian ChampionshipNorwegian First Division 1989The 1989 season of the Norwegian First Division began on April 30, 1989 and ended on 8 October 1989.22 games were played with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws. Number eleven and twelve were relegated...
: 1989