1. Overview
Francisco Manuel "Paco" Soler Atencia (also known by the nickname "Chichi") (born March 5, 1970) is a Spanish former professional football player who primarily served as a central midfielder, and later embarked on a career as a manager. Soler is widely celebrated as a true "one-club man", having dedicated his entire 14-year playing career exclusively to RCD Mallorca. His unwavering commitment and contributions were instrumental in ushering in a golden age for the club, including their return to La Liga and significant achievements in cup competitions. Beyond his indelible mark on club football, Soler also achieved international acclaim as a gold medalist with the Spanish national under-23 team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. His career reflects a steadfast dedication to the sport, both on the field as a composed and hard-nosed midfielder, and later from the sidelines as a coach.
2. Early Life
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Paco Soler was born on March 5, 1970, in Palma de Mallorca, which is part of the Balearic Islands, Spain. His footballing journey began at a young age, with his early education in the sport taking place at the youth academy of CIDE Mallorca. In 1988, demonstrating early promise, he was scouted and subsequently joined the B team of his local club, RCD Mallorca, where he made 69 appearances and scored 9 goals.
3. Playing Career
Paco Soler's playing career was marked by an extraordinary dedication to a single club and significant contributions at both the club and international levels.
3.1. Club Career
Soler spent his entire 14-year professional playing career with his hometown club, RCD Mallorca, establishing himself as a true "one-club man". He made his first-team and La Liga debut on April 21, 1991, in a match against Atlético Madrid during the 1990-91 La Liga season. From the 1991-92 season onwards, Soler became a regular fixture in Mallorca's lineup, though the club experienced relegation to the Segunda División.
He played a crucial role in Mallorca's successful return to La Liga in the 1996-97 season, an achievement that marked the beginning of a "golden era" for the club. In the subsequent campaign, 1997-98 La Liga, Soler continued to be a regular starter, contributing to Mallorca's impressive fifth-place finish in the league.
During his tenure, Soler amassed significant club records, including a total of 423 competitive appearances for RCD Mallorca, scoring 28 goals, making him the club's all-time record appearance holder. Across nine seasons in La Liga, he played in 168 matches, scoring three goals.
Soler also played a part in several historic cup runs for Mallorca. He was named on the substitutes' bench for the final of the 1998-99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, where Mallorca finished as runner-up. He celebrated winning the 1998 Supercopa de España and was also a key member of the squad that won the 2002-03 Copa del Rey. Despite this cup success, his appearances in the league became limited in his final years, with only five league matches played during the 2002-03 season. Soler retired from professional football at the age of 34 after the 2003-04 La Liga season, having played very few matches in his last two years.
3.2. International Career
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Paco Soler's international career highlight came with the Spain national under-23 football team. He was a vital member of the squad that secured the gold medal in the football tournament at the 1992 Summer Olympics, held in his home country, Spain, specifically in Barcelona. Throughout the tournament, Soler featured in four matches, playing a total of 277 minutes, contributing to Spain's historic victory.
3.3. Playing Style
As a central midfielder, Paco Soler was known for his distinctive and effective playing style. He was characterized as a "hard-nosed" player, indicating his tenacity, resilience, and strong tackling abilities. Furthermore, he was described by his Korean sources as 냉철한naengcheolhanKorean, meaning "composed" or "level-headed," highlighting his ability to maintain calm and make rational decisions under pressure on the field. Standing at 67 in (169 cm) and weighing 154 lb (70 kg), Soler was primarily right-footed. His attributes allowed him to effectively control the midfield, break up opposition play, and contribute to his team's overall strategic approach.
4. Managerial Career
Following his retirement as a player, Paco Soler transitioned into a career in football management.
His first coaching appointment came in January 2007, when he took charge of Portuguese Primeira Liga club S.C. Beira-Mar. This move followed a cooperation deal between the club and Inverfutbol, a Spanish-based sporting company. However, despite his efforts, Soler was unable to prevent the Aveiro-based team from being relegated during the 2006-07 Primeira Liga season.
In February 2009, Soler returned to his native region in Spain, taking over as manager of the lower-division club CD Atlético Baleares. He succeeded former Spanish international Francisco in the role. Unfortunately, under Soler's guidance, CD Atlético Baleares also experienced relegation in the 2008-09 Segunda División B season. He managed the club for the 2009-2010 season.
Four years later, in 2013, Soler briefly stepped away from his role as director of football at CD Atlético Baleares to return to the dugout and manage the team once more, demonstrating his continued commitment to the club.
5. Honours
Paco Soler accumulated several significant titles and achievements throughout his distinguished playing career.
- RCD Mallorca
- Copa del Rey: 2002-03
- Copa del Rey: Runner-up: 1997-98
- Supercopa de España: 1998
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: Runner-up: 1998-99
- Spain U23
- Summer Olympic Games: 1992 (Gold Medal)
6. Legacy
Paco Soler's legacy in Spanish football, particularly with RCD Mallorca, is defined by his unwavering loyalty and significant contributions. As a genuine "one-club man", he spent his entire 14-year professional career with Mallorca, embodying a rare form of dedication in modern football. His instrumental role in the club's return to La Liga in 1996-97 and their subsequent achievements, including a fifth-place league finish, the 1998 Supercopa de España, and the 2002-03 Copa del Rey, firmly established him as a cornerstone of Mallorca's "golden era."
Soler's record of 423 competitive appearances for RCD Mallorca stands as a testament to his longevity, consistency, and importance to the club, making him the all-time leader in club appearances. Beyond club football, his achievement of winning an Olympic gold medal with the Spanish national under-23 team at the 1992 Barcelona Games further cemented his place in the annals of Spanish sporting history. His impact goes beyond mere statistics, representing a period of significant growth and success for RCD Mallorca and inspiring dedication through his exceptional club loyalty.