Ryan Ogam: Harambee Stars Forward Faces His First Big European Test After Shock Wolfsberger Shake-Up

The script has flipped in Austria for the newest European import, Harambee Stars striker Ryan Ogam, even before he has settled into his new surroundings.

The surprise departure of Wolfsberger AC coach Dietmar Kühbauer and the appointment of veteran Austrian tactician Peter Pacult introduces an immediate, fascinating challenge for Ryan Ogam.

Pacult's arrival signals a shift in philosophy that could either forge Ryan Ogam into a force to be reckoned with or halt his promising European start.

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For the Harambee Stars technical bench, the development at the Lavanttal Arena will be keenly watched, as Ryan Ogam's growth is inextricably linked to the national team's future success.

Pater Pacult, 65, is a figure of immense experience and a clear coaching identity in Austrian football, known for his no-nonsense approach and demanding ‘cult-coach’ persona.

His resume boasts a league title with Rapid Wien and, more recently, a notable promotion success with SK Austria Klagenfurt, demonstrating a capacity for both top-tier success and building from the ground up.

The coach has also worked with Dynamo Dresden, where he had two separate spells, RB Leipzig, TSV 1860 Munich and 1860 Munich II. Peter Pacult has managed clubs in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Albania.

Wolfsberger AC marks his third coaching spell in the Austrian region of Carinthia, having previously managed FC Kärnten and SK Austria Klagenfurt.

"Following the surprising departure of Dietmar Kühbauer, an intensive search for a new head coach has been underway in recent days. In my opinion, the current situation calls for an experienced coach who is familiar with the Austrian Bundesliga. Therefore, we are very pleased to have found a new coach in Peter Pacult who fully meets this profile," Wolfsberger AC president Dietmar Riegler said as quoted by the club's website.

"I'm really looking forward to my new role at Wolfsberger AC, and I'd like to thank the president for his trust in me. I can't wait to get to know the team better and start working on the pitch," Peter Pacult said.

Crucially, Peter Pacult often favours formations that can significantly impact a striker like Ryan Ogam. Throughout his career, and specifically in his recent successful spell at Klagenfurt, Peter Pacult has utilized systems like the 3-5-2 flat or variants of the 4-4-2.

These formations typically rely on a strike partnership, or at the very least, a robust forward line where the strikers are expected to be both a focal point in attack and the first line of defence.

For Ryan Ogam, who is a powerful forward and a natural goal-scorer, this setup presents a massive opportunity. A 3-5-2 is often built around a pair of strikers, one who can hold up the ball and link play, and another with pace who can run in behind.

Given Peter Pacult’s history as a prolific striker himself, Ryan Ogam will be working under a mentor who fundamentally understands the demands and nuances of his position.

Ryan Ogam's physical attributes and clinical finishing could see him thrive in a system designed to get the ball into the final third quickly and efficiently, leveraging the width of wing-backs.

However, the Peter Pacult way demands discipline and a relentless work ethic. The 'ironclad methods' he is known for suggest a coach who will not tolerate half-measures.

For a young player newly arrived in Europe, this can be a double-edged sword. A disciplined, tactically mature, and physically hardened Ryan Ogam will be a more potent weapon in Kenya's attack.

If Pacult utilises him in a two-striker system, it also offers valuable tactical experience that can be replicated at the international level, potentially improving the link-up play with other Harambee Stars forwards.

In the volatile world of European football, an experienced, demanding coach can be a young player’s most valuable asset and, in this case, Peter Pacult’s appointment is a pivotal moment in Ryan Ogam’s career.