Boost for Ryan Ogam? Harambee Stars Striker Gets New Coach at Austrian Club

Harambee Stars striker Ryan Ogam could be in for a boost following the appointment of Ismail Atalan as the team’s new head coach.

Since joining the Austrian Bundesliga side on September 2, 2025, Ryan Ogam has struggled to secure regular playing time.

The 20-year-old forward sealed the move from Kenyan Premier League side Tusker FC on an undisclosed deal, marking a major step in his career as he moves to the European stage.

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The Austrian club had been monitoring Ryan Ogam after his impressive performances for Harambee Stars, particularly during the concluded 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, where he scored two crucial goals.

At the time he was joining, the club was in a transition and had appointed coach Peter Pacult following the surprise departure of Dietmar Kühbauer.

The 66-year-old Viennese coach took charge of the club about four weeks ago, overseeing five matches in total.

His tenure began with a defeat to SV Ried, followed by victories in the Bundesliga against SK Sturm Graz and in the UNIQA ÖFB Cup after extra time against SKU Amstetten. However, the team then struggled at home, drawing 0-0 with WSG Tirol and losing to TSV Hartberg.

Since Peter Pacult took over as head coach on October 13, 2025, Ryan Ogam has found playing time scarce. The coaching change has not immediately favoured the young forward's integration into the squad.

Ryan Ogam has registered just one start in the Austrian Cup match against SKU Amstetten on October 29, 2025, where he was substituted at halftime, registering only 46 minutes of action.

Crucially, Ryan Ogam has yet to make a substitute appearance in the league under Pacult. While he was named to the bench for the first two Bundesliga matches managed by Peter Pacult, against SV Ried and Sturm Graz, he remained an unused substitute.

Subsequently, Ryan Ogam was left out of the matchday squad entirely for the following two league fixtures.

However, this pattern might soon come to an end following the appointment of another coach, 45-year-old Ismail Atalan. The German has taken over the reins of the Wolfpack and is tasked with steering the Wolves back to success.

The Kurdish-born coach most recently managed Kapfenberger SV, where he guided the Falcons to a third-place finish after a challenging season, a feat that earned him the 2.

Bundesliga Coach of the Year award. However, Atalan parted ways with the club at the end of the campaign, citing differences in sporting objectives.

Before that, the trained financial specialist made headlines with German regional league side Sportfreunde Lotte, leading them to their first-ever promotion to the 3. Liga and an impressive run to the DFB Cup quarterfinals.