- Cesc Fabregas has guided Como from the lower reaches of Italian football to Champions League qualification in a remarkable managerial rise.
- BBC Sport visited Como to gain exclusive insight into Fabregas’s coaching vision and the philosophy driving the club’s transformation.
- The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder has built a distinct footballing identity at Como that has captured widespread attention across Europe.
Cesc Fabregas and the Remarkable Rise of Como to the Champions League
Few stories in recent European football have captured the imagination quite like Como’s extraordinary ascent under the management of Cesc Fabregas. BBC Sport travelled to the picturesque Italian lakeside city to go inside the club and understand first-hand the vision and philosophy that the former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea midfield maestro has installed at one of Serie A’s most storied yet long-dormant clubs. What they found was a coach operating with a clarity of purpose and an ambition that has already produced results far beyond what most observers thought possible.
From Playing Genius to Tactical Architect
Fabregas retired from playing with a reputation as one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation, but his transition into management has been anything but a gentle introduction to the dugout. Taking charge of Como, a club that spent decades outside Italy’s top flight, Fabregas has overseen a period of accelerated growth that has culminated in the club qualifying for the Champions League — a feat that would have seemed extraordinary even to the most optimistic of Como’s supporters just a few seasons ago. The speed and scale of that rise has drawn significant attention from across the football world, and BBC Sport’s visit to Como sought to unpack exactly how it was achieved.
A Philosophy Built on Identity and Intensity
Central to Fabregas’s approach at Como is a clear and consistent footballing philosophy — one rooted in the principles of possession, positional play, and high-intensity pressing that defined many of the great teams he himself played in throughout his career. Having learned from elite managers including Arsène Wenger at Arsenal and Pep Guardiola during his time with the Spanish national setup, Fabregas has drawn on those influences while developing his own distinct coaching identity. BBC Sport’s visit revealed a coach deeply engaged with every detail of how his team plays, trains, and thinks about the game.
Como’s Broader Project and Growing European Profile
Como’s rise is not simply the story of one man, but the result of a broader club project that has aligned ownership ambition, squad investment, and coaching excellence in a way that has transformed the club’s standing in Italian and European football. Fabregas has been the central figure in that transformation, providing the sporting leadership that has given the project its identity and direction. With Champions League football now on the horizon, Como’s journey under Fabregas represents one of the most compelling managerial narratives in the modern game — and one that shows no signs of slowing down.
Why This Matters
Fabregas’s success at Como carries significance well beyond one club’s fortunes. It reflects a growing trend of recently retired elite players moving into management and immediately making an impact at the highest level, challenging the traditional pathway that required years in lower-league management before reaching the top. Como’s qualification for the Champions League also demonstrates that well-resourced, well-coached smaller clubs can compete with and surpass historically dominant forces in European football. As Champions League preparations begin, all eyes across the continent will be on Fabregas and Como to see whether they can sustain and build on their extraordinary rise at the very highest level of club competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cesc Fabregas lead Como to the Champions League?
Fabregas implemented a clear footballing philosophy at Como based on possession, pressing, and positional play, drawing on principles absorbed during his playing career under managers such as Arsène Wenger. Combined with a supportive club project and targeted squad investment, this approach delivered a rapid rise through Italian football culminating in Champions League qualification.
What is Cesc Fabregas’s managerial background before Como?
Fabregas moved into management at Como following his retirement as a player, where he had represented clubs including Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Monaco. His coaching career began at Como and has progressed rapidly, with the club’s Champions League qualification representing the standout achievement of his time in the dugout so far.
Why is Como’s rise considered remarkable?
Como spent many years outside Italy’s top flight and was not considered a traditional powerhouse of Italian or European football. Their progression to the Champions League under Fabregas in a short space of time is widely regarded as one of the most surprising and impressive stories in recent European football, drawing extensive media attention including a dedicated BBC Sport feature.
