Groener grew up in Denekamp, where he joined the local amateur club DOS '19.
In 1978 Groener finished his studies to become a A-level certified football coach, taking the managerial position of the Suriname national team.
In June 1981, Groener signed a 1-year contract with FC Twente as the successor of Hennie Hollink.
In 1992, he became the director for Dutch club FC Emmen, followed by SC Cambuur and finally Heracles Almelo where he was fired in 1998.
[2][3] He later became active as a players' agent representing the likes of Marko Arnautović, Samuel Armenteros, Peter Niemeyer, Georgios Samaras and manager Jan de Jonge amongst others.