Galloway, NJ – Former Stockton University men's soccer player Santiago Solari was tabbed yesterday as the new head coach of Real Madid, one of the most famous sports teams in the world. Solari played for Stockton for one season in 1994 before returning to Argentina where he later turned professional.
Solari scored eight goals and dished 15 assists for 31 points in his one season in an Osprey uniform. He was voted NJAC Rookie of the Year, NJAC First Team and NSCAA All-Region Second Team after helping Stockton to a 15-5 record and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Solari spoke about his time at Stockton during a 2001 interview with Soccer America. "It was not a soccer experience. But it was an experience about life, about meeting people, about knowing a different culture and different ways of thinking. It opened up my head," he said.
Solari played professionally for River Plate (Argentina), Atletico Madrid (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain), Inter Milan (Italy) and San Lorenzo (Argentina). He also made 11 appearances representing Argentina on the international stage.
Solari began coaching in 2013, working with Real Madrid's youth and second division squads before being provisionally appointed head coach of Real Madrid. The move is a short-term solution for the team, with Spanish federation rules stipulating that provisional coaches can only be in charge for two weeks, however it could be a springboard for Solari's coaching career.
