So much so that this interview with Alsanawi took place in his bigger and better premises in Chessington, a few miles from Cobham, which he moved into in 2018. He’s also got a tattoo parlour out the back and a coffee shop next door, which is run by his dad (who produces a mean latte, just FYI). On the morning that Champions Journal visits, there’s music pumping out of the speakers and a relaxed vibe among Alsanawi’s cutting crew, which includes his brother. There’s even an opportunity for art director Oliver Meikle to get in the chair for a trim, experiencing not only the owner’s prowess with a pair of clippers but also his way with words.
“With barbering it’s not just your haircut, it’s about someone feeling comfortable in your chair – then you build a relationship,” says Alsanawi. “A barber is one of your best friends, because you can come every week and tell him what’s happening in your life, so you do become close.” Does that mean he gets to hear some of the gossip that doesn’t even make its way to the back pages? “Yeah, 100%. You’re the first one to know certain things. But that’s why you’re trusted: they’ve shared so many things with you and they haven’t got out, so they know you’re reliable.”
Alsanawi’s reputation is such that he was flown out to cut the hair of the French and Belgian sides during the most recent EURO and World Cup; trimming the squad, but in a good way. He’s got his eye on another team for the tournament in Qatar, however. “I’m hoping I can be the England barber – that’s the target.” And would the plan be to stay in camp for the whole time? “I should get the experience of it and stay out with these teams, but I can’t leave my wife with three naughty kids. So I tend to go, trim all day, sleep over and fly home the following morning.”
Back in the 1980s there were a couple of England footballers who were renowned for their perms: Bryan Robson and Kevin Keegan. Is it a style that Alsanawi can see making a comeback? “Yeah, I think soon – I think very soon,” comes the reply. “I will try and do it for someone. Fashion always repeats itself. We’ve gone through a phase of skin fades, now I believe it’s going to be over the ears, a longer look – or the curtains. The mullet might even make a comeback, you never know.”
Still reeling from this roll call of unexpectedly imminent hair trends, we wonder aloud whether there’s a footballer out there that Alsanawi hasn’t yet had the chance to work with. “I really, really want to cut Cristiano Ronaldo’s, because for his image it’s just… I don’t know, his haircuts ain’t top,” he says. “I could definitely improve that blend he has. And I would say Messi, but what am I going to do? His hair is so plain and simple.”
So could Ronaldo be a candidate for the perm? “Yeah, that would be a good look for him.” Blimey, it might be time for another coffee.
