The Italian club Como, named after one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, has gone from being an insignificant backyard club to now wreaking havoc in the Champions League. – They discovered a coaching jewel in Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea legend Cesc Fabregas and now they are getting paid for it.
Como’s 9-1 win over RC Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the Champions League is sure to put even more eyes on Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard has never hidden his dream of coaching Barcelona – and now he is taking another step towards that goal.
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Fabregas’ stock as a manager continues to rise. After Como equalled the record for the largest margin of victory in Champions League history, he has come even closer to his dream job.
It was an unforgettable night for the Spaniard: seven second-half goals secured the 9-1 win away to Lens, and the Serie A club continues their brilliant start to Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Como have now beaten RB Leipzig, Manchester United and Lens – and stand with nine out of a possible twelve points. In their Champions League debut, they are proudly in fourth place.
From Serie B to Champions League records
Como’s journey from the lower teams of Serie B to equalling records in the Champions League is one of modern football’s most remarkable success stories.
Fabregas has played a huge role in that incredible journey. He joined the Italian club as a player in 2022 after leaving Monaco, and was appointed permanent head coach in July 2024 – after the club was promoted to Serie A for the first time in 21 years.
The 39-year-old had previously been in temporary charge between November and December 2023, but has since established himself as one of the world’s best managers – and reached similar heights as he did as a player.
After leading the club to a tenth place finish in their first season, Fabregas led them to fourth place in Serie A and a ticket to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Combining the positional play he learned under Pep Guardiola with the quick transitions of Arsene Wenger, Como has shattered many teams under the Spanish tactician. And his recent performance on the big stage only brings him even closer to his dream job.
The dream of Barcelona
Fabregas has always had ambitions to coach his childhood club Barcelona. He outlined this himself four years ago, when his playing career was coming to an end.
“I can’t deny that it would be a dream to coach Barca one day. Time will tell. Right now, I just want to prepare well to be a coach,” Fabregas said in an interview with RAC1 in 2022.
When asked how he prepared, he added:
“I have notebooks with notes about things I liked and didn’t like about the different coaches I’ve had. To keep that in mind for the future.
Fabregas came through the ranks at La Masia, but ended up leaving Camp Nou for Arsenal in 2003. He spent eight years in north London before returning to his childhood club in 2011 – where he delivered 42 goals and 50 assists in 151 appearances before joining Chelsea in 2014.
Doesn’t rule out Real Madrid
The former midfield maestro has gone from controlling the game on the pitch to doing the same from the bench. It only feels like a matter of time before he takes over one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Barcelona offering him the manager’s job is a self-proclaimed dream – but he is open to the idea of becoming part of another football giant, and has not ruled out the possibility of coaching Real Madrid.
“I don’t have any red lines. One red line, and I’ve been very clear about that from the beginning, is that I don’t want to be an assistant… for example. I’m clear that I want to be a head coach,” Fabregas said in May.
“The other thing (the possibility of Real Madrid)? I haven’t even thought about it or considered it. I haven’t had time for anything.
It would be taken badly at Barcelona if Fabregas ever goes to Real Madrid. However, if his share price continues to skyrocket, he could be in a position to one day replace Jose Mourinho.
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