Cesc Fabregas has risked the wrath of Barcelona fans after refusing to rule out the potential of managing bitter rivals Real Madrid in the long run.
Fabregas has won himself admirers across the sport with the outstanding job he’s doing in command of Como, having led the side to promotion from the Italian second tier in the summertime of 2024.
Como finished ninth on their return to Serie A final season – their best finish since 1987 – and the extraordinary rise has continued this term, with Fabregas steering the club to European qualification for the primary time ever on the weekend.
A good 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona ensured a spot in next yr’s Europa Conference League is now guaranteed, however the Champions League stays in sight with two league matches to play for Como.
Roma and AC Milan each sit just two points above sixth-placed Como at this important stage of the season, knowing slip-ups of their remaining fixtures could give Fabregas’ men a possibility to leapfrog them within the table.
Fabregas’ extraordinary exploits in just his second full season as a everlasting manager have naturally begun to draw the attentions of a few of the biggest names in world football, with Barcelona and managerless Chelsea amongst those linked.
The 2010 World Cup winner has been keen to distance himself from these rumours, determined to focus on the here and now while seeing out a successful end to the campaign in Lombardy.
Nevertheless, during a wide-ranging interview with Cadena COPE, Fabregas lifted the lid on his mindset regarding possible jobs in the long run, at one point suggesting he can be prepared to take charge on the Bernabeu.
That is despite the very fact the 39-year-old rose through Barcelona’s La Masia academy ranks as a teen, before returning to the Camp Nou in 2011 to assist his boyhood side win six pieces of silverware.
‘Do you’ve any red lines? If Real Madrid called you in the future… could you be the Real Madrid coach?’ Fabregas was asked by presenter Juanma Castano, to which he replied: ‘I don’t have a red line.
‘One red line, and I’ve been very clear about this from the start, is that I wouldn’t need to be an assistant, for instance.
‘I’m clear that I would like to be a head coach.
‘The opposite thing [the possibility of Real Madrid]? I haven’t even thought of it or considered it. I haven’t had time for anything.’
It’s clear Fabregas has no immediate plans to up sticks and stays fully committed to Como, where he became each a shareholder and part-owner when initially joining the club as a player in 2022.
‘I saw a project, I saw a possibility, not only to complete playing football, but to start out doing what I used to be already starting to like greater than playing, which was coaching,’ he explained.
‘I’m the one who makes the signings, I’m a shareholder of the club.’
The ex-Spain international went on: ‘I saw a project to start out coaching, I actually have a contract and I’m very calm.
‘I’m in a spot that helps me grow and I’m very completely satisfied.’
Fabregas named Arsene Wenger because the manager who had made the most important impact on his profession, telling the Spanish radio station: ‘He believed in me, giving me the chance and the boldness.’
Speaking exclusively to Metro last week, Glen Johnson encouraged Chelsea to pursue a possible move for Fabregas, with the search ongoing for Liam Rosenior’s successor at Stamford Bridge.
‘Chelsea have had each [types of manager],’ the ex-Chelsea, Liverpool and England full-back said.
‘An experienced manager who won every little thing? They sacked them. Young, promising managers? Sacked them too.
‘I don’t think it’s a selected profile they’re after, they only care about winning. Whoever it’s needs time to show it around and win.
‘Each Andoni Iraola and Cesc Fabregas have credentials, having Premier League experience as a manager is big whereas Cesc knows the club lots higher and as a former player, would definitely get the players’ respect.
‘I just want them to present someone 18 months, let the dust settle and allow them to play the way in which they need to play.’
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