​Who is Erling Haaland’s dad? Revisit Alfie Haaland’s EPL playing career in England originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. With more than 60 goals on the international stage, the most goals in a single Premier League season, and a shelf full of trophies already collected, Erling Haaland has become one of the most recognizable names in soccer. The 2026 World Cup further cemented his stardom as he captained Norway on a deep run in their return to the tournament, although the team narrowly failed to qualify in 1998. Yet while Haaland is the family’s biggest star, he isn’t the only footballer in the bloodline.
Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge “Alfie” Haaland, also had a substantial playing career and represented Norway at the international level. Here’s a detailed look at the elder Haaland’s time on the pitch. 2026 World Cup HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
Erling Haaland’s dad is Alf-Inge “Alfie” Haaland, now 53, a former footballer born in Stavanger, Norway. Alfie carved out a long career in England, turning out for several top clubs and making a lasting mark in the Premier League era. The Sporting News notes alongside this piece that Haaland’s father spent formative years in English football, echoing the talent path that would one day lead his son to global stardom.
Alfie Haaland, primarily a right-back and midfielder, began his football journey with his hometown club Bryne, joining their youth system in 1979 and breaking into the first team at 17. He signed his first professional contract soon afterward, signaling the start of a career that would eventually take him across multiple English clubs. In 1993, Alfie joined First Division side Nottingham Forest, where he spent four seasons before moving on to Leeds United. During his time with Leeds, from 1997 to 2000, he was utilized as a versatile utility player, contributing eight goals to the team.
The next major chapter in Alfie Haaland’s career brought him to Manchester City in 2000. His time in England, however, was not without incident. In April 2001, a high-profile tackle by Roy Keane on Haaland left the Norwegian midfielder with a knee injury and sparked a controversy that dominated headlines for months. Keane would later discuss the tackle in his autobiography, admitting it was a deliberate act of retaliation. The incident led to fines and suspensions for Keane and contributed to Haaland’s ongoing knee problems, ultimately undermining his ability to sustain a long-term top-flight career.
The knee injuries eventually contributed to Alfie Haaland’s retirement from professional play in July 2003. He would later return to the pitch briefly, playing in the Norwegian Third Division for his hometown club, Rosseland, in 2011. Alfie Haaland ultimately stepped away from professional football for good in 2013, leaving behind a legacy as a robust, adaptable English-based player who helped shape the early chapters of his son’s illustrious football journey.
Alfie Haaland’s personal life intersected with athletics as well. His former wife and Erling’s mother, Gry Marita Braut, is a distinguished Norwegian heptathlete. Together, the couple raised Erling and two other children. Alfie later remarried and welcomed two additional daughters into the family. Like his son, Alfie spent time at Manchester City and wore the Norway national team jersey as part of his career, leaving a noticeable imprint on the Haaland family’s deep ties to football.
In sum, Alf-Inge Haaland’s years in English football—across Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City—shaped a resilient, hard-working defender/midfielder whose career included memorable highs and challenging setbacks. His experiences laid a foundation that his son would surpass in global fame, yet the elder Haaland’s story remains a notable part of Premier League history and a compelling chapter in the Haaland football dynasty.