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.

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.