As one of the Bobek Babes,[1] Olarević made his competitive debut for Partizan in the second half of the 1967–68 season.
He subsequently went to France to play for Lille, helping the club to promotion to the top flight in 1978.
[4] At international level, Olarević represented Yugoslavia at two UEFA European Under-18 Championships, in 1967 and 1968.
[5] After hanging up his boots, Olarević became manager of Marseille, leading them to the 1986 Coupe de France final.
He later served as manager of Bulgaria's Slavia Sofia, Morocco's Wydad Casablanca, and Poland's Zagłębie Lubin.