One of New Zealand’s highest-qualified coaches, Olli Harder, has joined Norwegian club FK Viking as a coach working with their second team and U-19 squads.
All Whites midfielder Joe Bell plays for the club’s first team who compete in Eliteserien, the first-tier men’s competition in Norway, and former New Zealand U-23 defender Gianni Stensness also plays for the club.
Harder (38) completed his UEFA Pro Licence, Europe’s highest coaching qualification, two years ago after a professional coaching career in the United States, China and England.
In 2023, he was an assistant coach with the Norwegian U-23 women’s team, and the U-21 men’s national squad.
This followed his departure from Norwegian club SK Brann where he was the Director of Football and the women’s first team manager.
Having played as a goalkeeper in New Zealand’s national league, Harder cut his coaching teeth at Auckland’s Massey High School (girls) and Lynfield College (boys) before heading overseas in 2008.
He was head coach of West Ham United’s women’s team for two years, moving to Norway in May 2022.
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