Agent: Capello rejected Xabi Alonso when he was at Roma
Alonso had been recommended to Bernardo Brovarone by old acquaintance John Toshack, who was managing Real Sociedad, Alonso’ club at the time, before he was an international star.
Brovarone reveals that, after Toshack first mentioned Xabi Alonso to him, he went to watch the youngster, only for the future Real Madrid star to “take his heart away”.
“I called Franco [Sensi, Roma president] and recommended that Roma come watch him, because he was absolutely worth it,” Brovarone wrote on his website, “They sent an observer, Vincenzo Minguzzi.
“He liked him a lot, obviously more than Capello did. It wasn’t news, Capello preferred established champions, champions who could win immediately, he didn’t have time to waste with kids.
“I drove Franco Sensi crazy to persuade him to sign Alonso, but he had to respect his Coach’s priorities, they recognized his [Alonso’s] skills but wouldn’t go further in the matter”.
Adapted by @EdoDalmonte
For more of Bernardos’ recollections, visit www.bernardobrovarone.it
