Former Chelsea Star Cesc Fabregas has been appointed as the manager of this shocking European giant this evening.
Few people see Cesc Fabregas strolling over the Lake Como promenade. After all, the affluent and famous are no strangers to this locale, and that is all part of its appeal.
Hollywood productions such as James Bond and Star Wars have filmed in the region, and boat rides over the glittering river pass the homes of George Clooney and Richard Branson.
Thus, it’s the ideal place for a legendary football player to enjoy his obscurity. He won two European Championships and the World Cup, no less.
Fabregas, though, isn’t just lounging about in retirement. Not at all. He is a coach and shareholder of the Italian club Como 1907, which also has Thierry Henry, a former teammate of Fabregas’ at Arsenal, as an investor. Furthermore, Fabregas is involved with much more than just the location.
The assistant manager at the moment, Fabregas said to Telegraph Sport, “I saw individuals that wanted to build this club, that wanted to do things the way that I always wanted to do them.” Since it was early on, we could essentially start from scratch. That was thought-provoking. I had the chance to play here for the previous few years and continue to progress as a manager while doing what I enjoy. That was the kind of long-term project I was searching for.
Como 1907/Cesc Fabregas had a key part in a £1 billion effort to turn Como from minnows to giants
On the sidelines, Fabregas (right) cuts an animated figure. CREDIT: Reuters / Ciro De Luca
Como 1907/Cesc Fabregas had a key part in a £1 billion effort to turn Como from minnows to giants
The World Cup victor hopes to make Como a household name. CREDIT: Reuters / Ciro De Luca
Fabregas made a wise choice when he joined the team two years ago, and now promotion to Serie A is all but guaranteed.
Though Milan is only 30 minutes away, 1907 has, according to rumours circulating among prospective recruits, weakened support for European heavyweights Inter and AC.
Como has played in the Italian second and third divisions for the bulk of its thirteen seasons in the top level, the most recent of which was in 2003. Bankruptcies? They’ve experienced a few. Demotions? Too numerous to list.
An slim victory separates 2016–17 from a shortlist of contenders for Annus Horribilis. Into Serie D, out of business, and out of professional football.
The tides turned in April 2019 after a brief stint under the ownership of Akosua Puni Essien, the former Chelsea footballer Michael’s wife. The Hartono brothers bought the club through their Djarum Group, an Indonesian conglomerate with holdings in Mola, a streaming service that currently sponsors the team, Bank Central Asia, and tobacco.
Debts were paid off. Within months, there was one promotion, and two seasons later, there was another, into Serie B. From 400 gates, there are now a consistent 7,000, of which around half are in possession of season tickets.
British newcomers propelling Como ahead
A few names that many who watched English and Welsh football were familiar with have contributed to success.
Fabregas was convinced to sign on as a player in August 2022 by Dennis Wise, who served as chief executive for a while before becoming a consultant. It just took a few weeks to validate Henry’s investment.
After retiring last summer at the age of 36, Fabregas took up coaching 1907’s Primavera (Under-19) team. Following Moreno Longo’s exit in November, Fabregas took charge of the seniors for a month, which is the maximum amount of time allowed by the Italian Football Federation before coaching badges are earned.
Osian Roberts, the head of development, started in December and is the caretaker manager at the moment. Roberts served as Chris Coleman’s assistant for the 2016 European Championship before helping Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace and playing a developmental role for Morocco, the runners-up in the Qatar World Cup.
Roberts guards the touchline during game days, while Fabregas occupies the trench-like dugouts. He kicks every ball below ground, occasionally rushing up to yell directions and occasionally bashing both palms against the ceiling in exasperation. The next Serie A season may see him play an even bigger part.
Cesc Fabregas at training with Como 1907/Cesc Fabregas enjoying a key role in a £1 billion scheme to make Como into giants
Even at the highest level of play, Fabregas remains patient with his team. CREDIT: Como 1907
Ces Fabregas at Como 1907/Cesc Fabregas enjoying his part in the £1 billion scheme to make Como into giants
Como’s team does exercises. Photo credit: Como 1907
Fabregas has a childlike manner even with his beard. It is difficult to ignore the 16-year-old who made fools of established Premier League players and made passes that nobody could have predicted.
He stops mid-drill at the Mozzate training complex in 1907. He gestures above the enormous letters that say “Non c’è sconfitta nel cuore di chi lotta,” or “There is no defeat in the heart of those who battle,” to two spectators who are 200 yards distant on a bridge.
“Same folks, always,” he screams in English. Later, photographic evidence will assist staff in determining if they are simply ardent fans or rival spies.
Fabregas is still working on his adjustment. “We need to make this stuff automated.” His voice is still gentle yet powerful, and he switches between languages with ease.
A bad move. “No issue.” Some of the best football coaches have difficulty instructing because their players aren’t able to reach the heights of their abilities. This does not seem to be the case.
Fabregas’s evolving playing style
Although Fabregas’s background at Arsenal and Barcelona may have prepared for this, he maintains that no one system is superior to the others. His adaptability has pleased colleagues, and since taking over as first team coach, 1907’s possession and offensive figures have significantly improved. He starts, “You have to be prepared to touch every button at all times because football is always changing directions.
