Cesc Fabregas Reflects on Como Journey from Serie B to Champions League

Cesc Fabregas admits he had no idea Como even had a football team before taking charge of the club. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder’s decision to join the Serie B side seemed surprising at first, but it has since led to a remarkable rise culminating in qualification for the Champions League.

An Unusual Beginning

Fabregas revealed that his move to Como was not planned or based on deep knowledge of the club’s history. After an illustrious playing career with top clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, and Arsenal, he finished playing in Italy’s second division before swiftly stepping into management. He said during the Festival dello Sport in Trento that he trusted his instincts rather than tradition when choosing the project. “I had several offers, but I just felt this was the right one. Sometimes you have to follow your gut,” he shared. Interestingly, despite visiting Como as a tourist, he never realized the town had a football club.

The Tactical Influence of Antonio Conte

Fabregas started managing Como officially in 2023, though his tactical approach began forming well before that. Having won numerous titles including the Premier League, Europa League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, European Championships, and the 2010 World Cup, he credits Italian coach Antonio Conte with opening his eyes to a new level of tactical detail. Fabregas explained that while managers like Arsene Wenger and Vicente del Bosque were great, they did not focus heavily on tactics. Conte’s method was different—focused on precision and instructions down to small details, something Fabregas initially found unusual but ultimately valuable.

Holding Firm to Team Identity

This focus on detail influences Fabregas’s coaching style today. At Como, he emphasizes maintaining a clear team identity above all else. The results speak for themselves, with the club sitting eighth in Serie A after five matches and only three points behind leaders Roma. He shared his guiding thought: “Before every game, I ask myself how I want to lose. I want to lose staying true to my ideas. Losing after changing your identity hurts twice as much.” He accepts that sometimes the opposition is better but insists playing according to his philosophy helps the team learn.

Learning From Experience

Despite early success, Fabregas stays grounded and acknowledges there is still plenty to learn. He has experienced heated moments on the sidelines, including a confrontation with Massimiliano Allegri. He views these as part of growing emotionally as a coach. “I’m young and quite emotional. I hope that when I make mistakes, more experienced coaches like Gian Piero Gasperini will guide me. I respect people who know more than me,” Fabregas concluded.

• Club: Como
• Current League Position: 8th in Serie A
• Points from First 5 Matches: 10
• Distance from League Leaders Roma: 3 points
• Managerial Start: 2023