
Lars Bohinen
Norwayassociation football player•association football coach
Also known as: Lars Roar Bohinen
Birthday
September 8, 1969
Birth Sign
Virgo
Birthplace
Vadsø, Norway
Age
56 years old
Height
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
About
Lars Bohinen is a Norwegian former professional footballer and current football manager, born on September 8, 1969, in Vadsø, Norway. A technically gifted central midfielder, he became one of the first Norwegian players to make a lasting impression in the English Premier League, representing Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers, and Derby County between 1994 and 2000. His vision, long-range shooting, and composure on the ball made him a fan favorite wherever he played.
Internationally, Bohinen earned 49 caps for Norway and scored 10 goals, featuring in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. After retiring in 2005, he moved into management, guiding several Norwegian clubs including Sandefjord and Aalesund to promotion. As of 2026, he is the manager of Jerv. He is also the father of professional footballer Emil Bohinen.
Early Life & Background
Born in the remote northern town of Vadsø, one of Norway's northernmost towns, Lars Bohinen grew up in a region where football was more a passion than a path to stardom. He attended school in his hometown and surrounding areas before dedicating himself fully to football training. He started his senior career with Bærum SK before moving to Lyn Oslo in 1986. His early years were marked by a rapid rise through the Norwegian league system, showcasing the talent that would soon attract foreign scouts.
His performances in Norway, particularly with Viking FK, earned him a move to Swiss club BSC Young Boys in 1990. There, he gained valuable experience in European competitions and honed his skills before making the leap to English football. His formative years in Scandinavia and Switzerland laid the groundwork for his later success in the Premier League.
Career Growth
Lars Bohinen's breakthrough came in November 1994 when he joined Nottingham Forest. He made his debut in a crucial 3-0 win over Birmingham City, a match that helped turn their season around. His performances in the Premier League quickly made him a fan favorite, and he became a key figure in the team's midfield.
After two seasons at Forest, he moved to Blackburn Rovers in 1997, but his time there was short-lived. He was notably left out of the 1998 World Cup squad, a decision he has discussed in interviews. In 1998, he signed for Derby County, where he played under managers like Jim Smith and Dave Bassett. He is remembered for a stunning goal against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. He left England in 2000, returning to Norway to play for Lillestrøm, Lyngby, and Viking before retiring in 2005.
As a manager, Bohinen won the OBOS-ligaen title with Sandefjord in 2014 and with Aalesund in 2019, securing promotion to the Eliteserien on both occasions. He has also managed Sarpsborg 08 and Stabæk, and currently leads Jerv.
Career Timeline
Public Image & Style
Lars Bohinen is regarded as a pioneer among Norwegian footballers in the Premier League, a predecessor to stars like Erling Haaland. He is respected for his technical skill, intelligence on the pitch, and his calm demeanor. In Norway, he is seen as a key figure of the 'golden generation' of the 1990s. As a manager, he is known for developing teams and achieving promotion. His low-key personal life and focus on football have earned him admiration from fans and peers alike.
Fame & Fandom
Lars Bohinen commands a legacy defined by historical significance rather than modern digital mobilization, serving as a foundational figure for Norwegian football in England without an active, organized cult following. His reputation rests on his technical prowess and status as a pioneer who paved the way for future Scandinavian stars like Erling Haaland, yet he maintains no formal fanbase name or large-scale charitable campaigns in his honor. While specific clubs retain fond memories of his contributions, particularly during his tenure at Nottingham Forest where he scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists, the general public engagement remains limited to casual appreciation of his career highlights, such as his memorable strike against Tottenham Hotspur. There is no evidence of street closures, massive rituals, or viral fan movements centered on his person; instead, his connection with supporters is direct but small-scale, reflected in a personal social media presence of roughly 3,200 followers that links him primarily to former teammates and family. The iFANN Editorial Team has evaluated Lars Bohinen's global standing and determined that he does not currently hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. Consequently, he is not assigned a specific numeric rank or score within the current iFANN framework. This absence of a ranked position reflects his status as a respected historical figure whose fame is concentrated within specific regional and sporting niches rather than the broad, contemporary celebrity sphere measured by the engine.
Interesting Facts and Legends
Born in Vadsø, one of Norway's northernmost towns, Bohinen embarked on a remarkable journey from the far north to the English Premier League. Standing 1.85 meters tall and weighing 81 kg, he spent six years in England playing for Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers, and Derby County between 1994 and 2000. During his time at Derby County, his son Emil was born in England. A defining moment in his career occurred when he scored a stunning goal against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, a feat often cited by fans as a true Premier League classic and a moment of magic that has achieved viral status in recent years through social media clips. Following his retirement, he pursued management roles with clubs including Sandefjord and Aalesund. In 2021, while navigating the pandemic, he undertook a 'Viking' adventure exploring the fjords and mountains of Møre og Romsdal. Despite his professional stature, Bohinen maintains a low-key personal life with no significant social media presence beyond a private account.
Notable Quotes
“The Premier League was a different world. The speed, the physicality... it changed me as a player.”
“It was a tough decision, but football is about selection and tactics. I learned a lot from it.”
“We were pioneers. We showed that Norwegian players could compete in England.”
Family & Personal Life
Lars Bohinen is married, but he has kept his wife's identity private. The couple has one son, Emil Bohinen, who is also a professional footballer. Emil was born in Derby, England, in 1999, and currently plays as a midfielder for Venezia FC. The family maintains strong ties to Norway, where Lars has lived and worked throughout his managerial career.
Notable Connections
Lars Bohinen is closely associated with his son, Emil Bohinen, who followed in his footsteps as a professional footballer. He also played alongside notable Norwegian stars like Tore André Flo and is often mentioned in the context of the next generation of Norwegian talent, including Erling Haaland. His managers at Derby County, Jim Smith and Dave Bassett, played significant roles in his career in England.
Relationships & Dating History
Lars Bohinen has kept his personal life private, and there is little public information about his dating history. He is married, but his wife's name has not been disclosed. The couple has one son, Emil, who was born in 1999. As of 2026, Bohinen remains married, though details about his relationship are scarce.
Salary, Net Worth In 2026
$2 Million
iFANN Editorial Team estimate
Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Lars Bohinen's net worth is estimated to be around $2 Million as of 2026, with some external estimates ranging from $1 million to $3 million. His financial standing derives primarily from his playing career, which featured lucrative contracts in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers, and Derby County. After retiring, he secured a steady income stream as a manager in the Norwegian football league, leading clubs such as Sandefjord and Aalesund. Additional earnings have come through endorsements and media appearances, though he has consistently maintained a relatively low profile regarding his finances.
Awards Won (2)
Lars Bohinen won the OBOS-ligaen (Norwegian First Division) title twice as a manager, with Sandefjord in 2014 and Aalesund in 2019. These achievements secured promotion to the Eliteserien, Norway's top flight.
2019 · Manager
Aalesund
2014 · Manager
Sandefjord
Known For
Nottingham Forest
1994-1997 · Midfielder
Derby County
1998-2000 · Midfielder
Norway National Team
1990-2001 · Midfielder
Keywords
Sources
Quick Facts
- Profession
- association football player, association football coach
- Born
- +1969-09-08
- Birthplace
- Vadsø
- Gender
- Male
- Height
- 1.85 m
- Position
- Central Midfielder
Personal Details
- Full Name
- Lars Roar Bohinen
- Height
- 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Children
- 1 (Emil Bohinen)
Frequently Asked Questions
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