Playing career
Kanerva, who is known by the nickname "Rive", was born in Helsinki. In Finland, he played as a central defender and full back in his hometown clubs HJK Helsinki (1983–1990 and 1994–1998) and the season 1994 in the then local rivals FinnPa. The seasons 1991 and 1992, he played in the Swedish team IF Elfsborg in second-tier Superettan. His last years as a player were shadowed by injuries, but he was still an important part of the HJK defense. His playing career ended in 1998 which included the historical UEFA Champions League participation with HJK. At the Finnish top leagues Mestaruussarja and Veikkausliiga, he played total of 291 matches and scored 29 goals.
At international level, Kanerva went on to win 59 caps, and scored one goal for the Finland national team.
Coaching career
Kanerva worked as a school teacher during his playing career in Sweden and in Haaga, Helsinki, but since then he has been concentrating on football coaching. In 2001 and 2002, he was an assistant coach of Jyrki Heliskoski and Keith Armstrong in his former club HJK, and in 2003 he was the head coach of the Vuosaari-based club FC Viikingit in second-tier Ykkönen.
As the head coach of Finland under-21 national team, he led the team to the 2009 UEFA Euro U21 Championship final tournament. In the same year, he was awarded the Coach of the Year in Finland.
On 29 November 2010, it was announced that Kanerva would coach the Finland senior national team for the Spring period in 2011, while the Finnish FA will be seeking for a new head coach. [3] [4] Mika Laurikainen took his place as the Finland U21 coach. Kanerva had another spell as caretaker manager of Finland NT in 2015. In December 2016, he was permanently appointed manager of the Finland national team on a three-year contract. [5] In November 2019, he managed the Finland team to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2020 final tournament for the first time in the nation's history.
On 17 June 2024, the Finnish FA announced the extension of Kanerva's contract as the head coach, through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign and the possible final tournament, with assistant coaches Jani Honkavaara, Teemu Tainio and Tim Sparv completing the coaching staff. [6] After the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B, in which Finland lost all six matches with a goal difference on 2–13, Kanerva was dismissed by the Finnish FA. [7]
Personal life
His nickname "Rive" dates back to 1970s when he was playing football with the kids in the neighbourhood in Pukinmäki, Helsinki. According to the story, he was so good at football that the older kids started to call him Rive by the former Brazilian footballer Rivellino. [8]
Kanerva is married since 1991, currently living in Tapaninvainio, Helsinki. He has two children with his wife. [9] [10] [11]
While playing for IF Elfsborg in 1991–1992 in Sweden, Kanerva also worked in a primary school in Borås as a physical education teacher. [12]
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