He was born in Drammen, but grew up in Asker. Without a professional playing career of his own, he studied briefly at the University of Oslo before taking up the football and science bachelor's programme at John Moores University. He had coached youth teams in Fossum IF and Stabæk Fotball, and while in Liverpool he worked on the analyst team of Everton F.C.'s youth section. Back in Norway he was regarded as a highly skilled football analyst and was hired as a played developer in Odd Grenland. For the 2010 FIFA World Cup he was brought in as an expert commentator in the Viasat tv channel.
