Cesc Fàbregas

Cesc Fàbregas is the head coach of Como 1907 and one of the central figures in the club’s sporting project. After an outstanding playing career with Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Monaco, Como and the Spain national team, he began his coaching journey on the shores of Lake Como.

A FIFA World Cup winner and two-time UEFA European champion with Spain, Fàbregas has brought many of the ideas he learned from coaches such as Arsène Wenger, Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Vicente del Bosque into his managerial career.

His Como team aims to control matches through possession, build-up play, high pressing and intelligent occupation of space. The objective is not only to achieve results, but also to create a recognisable and sustainable football identity.

Quick Facts

Full Name: Francesc Fàbregas Soler
Known As: Cesc Fàbregas
Date of Birth: May 4, 1987
Place of Birth: Arenys de Mar, Spain
Nationality: Spain
Height: 1.79 m
Current Role: Head coach
Current Club: Como 1907
Playing Position: Midfielder
Preferred Foot: Right
Joined Como: August 2022
Retired from Playing: July 1, 2023
Appointed Como Head Coach: July 19, 2024
Contract Expiry: June 30, 2028
Coaching Licence: UEFA Pro Licence

Who Is Cesc Fàbregas?

Francesc Fàbregas Soler, commonly known as Cesc Fàbregas, was born in Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, on May 4, 1987.

He began his football journey with Mataró before entering the Barcelona youth system. At La Masia, he developed into a technical and creative midfielder with an exceptional ability to read the game.

In 2003, at only 16 years of age, he left Barcelona to join Arsenal. In England, he quickly earned first-team opportunities and established himself as one of the most promising midfielders in European football.

His playing career took him to the highest levels of the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie B, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.

Fàbregas was particularly known for his vision, passing accuracy, ability to find space between the lines and talent for creating goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.

Playing Career

Development at Barcelona

Fàbregas entered the Barcelona youth system in 1997 after beginning his development with Mataró.

At La Masia, he learned the technical and positional principles that would influence his entire career. His education at Barcelona helped him develop an advanced understanding of space, possession and the tempo of the game.

Although he was considered one of the most promising players of his generation, he decided to join Arsenal in 2003 in search of a faster route into professional football.

Arsenal

Arsenal signed Fàbregas in September 2003. The Spanish midfielder quickly became one of the youngest players to represent the London club’s first team.

Under Arsène Wenger, Fàbregas continued to develop his technical and tactical qualities. His ability to control the rhythm of matches and create chances made him a central figure in Arsenal’s football.

He contributed to the team that reached the 2006 UEFA Champions League final and won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield during his time in London.

In November 2008, Fàbregas was named Arsenal captain. Despite his young age, he was already regarded as one of the team’s most important technical and leadership figures.

Fàbregas left Arsenal in the summer of 2011 after making more than 300 competitive appearances for the club.

Return to Barcelona

In August 2011, Fàbregas returned to Barcelona, the club where he had developed as a young player.

He operated in several positions for the Catalan side. He was used as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, advanced number eight and, on some occasions, as a false nine.

His tactical intelligence allowed him to adapt to a system based on possession, positional rotations and the creation of numerical superiority.

During his three seasons with Barcelona, he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, two Spanish Super Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Chelsea

In June 2014, Fàbregas returned to England and signed for Chelsea.

His first season was particularly successful. Fàbregas provided numerous assists and helped Chelsea win the Premier League and the League Cup.

He won a second Premier League title with Chelsea during the 2016-17 season under the management of Antonio Conte.

He also won the FA Cup in 2018 and was part of the squad that lifted the UEFA Europa League during the 2018-19 campaign.

His experience at Chelsea added a greater understanding of transitions, positional defending and match management to his tactical knowledge.

Monaco

In January 2019, Fàbregas left Chelsea and joined Monaco.

In France, he used his experience to support a young squad and began developing an increasingly serious interest in coaching.

The final part of his time in Monaco was affected by physical problems, but Fàbregas continued to serve as an important reference point for the club’s younger players.

Como

Fàbregas signed for Como in August 2022, when the club was competing in Serie B.

His arrival was not only an important sporting and media operation. Fàbregas became involved in the wider project and also joined the club as a shareholder.

During the 2022-23 season, he made the final appearances of his professional playing career. On July 1, 2023, he announced his retirement and immediately began his journey as a coach.

International Career with Spain

Fàbregas represented Spain at the main youth levels before making his senior international debut in 2006.

He made 110 appearances and scored 15 goals for the senior national team, participating in three FIFA World Cups, three UEFA European Championships and two FIFA Confederations Cups.

He helped Spain win UEFA Euro 2008 and converted the decisive penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Italy.

In 2010, he won the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. During the final against the Netherlands, Fàbregas provided the pass from which Andrés Iniesta scored the decisive goal in extra time.

Fàbregas also won UEFA Euro 2012. In the semi-final against Portugal, he converted the decisive penalty that sent Spain into the final.

His international career ended after UEFA Euro 2016.

Cesc Fàbregas as Como Head Coach

Starting with the Primavera

After retiring from professional football, Fàbregas began his coaching career with the Como Primavera team.

This first experience allowed him to work on training methods, daily squad management and the development of young players.

His transition from player to coach was particularly rapid. After only a few months with the Primavera, Fàbregas was given an opportunity to work with the first team.

Interim Head Coach

In November 2023, Fàbregas was appointed Como’s interim head coach following the departure of Moreno Longo.

He managed the team for five Serie B matches, recording three victories, one draw and one defeat.

During that period, he began introducing some of the principles that would later define his Como team, including controlled build-up play, immediate attempts to recover possession and a more proactive approach in the opposition half.

Working with Osian Roberts

In December 2023, Osian Roberts was appointed to lead the first team. Fàbregas remained part of the technical staff as an assistant coach.

Their collaboration helped Como earn promotion to Serie A at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Fàbregas played an important role in the team’s technical development and in preparing a football identity suited to the club’s long-term project.

Appointment as Head Coach

On July 19, 2024, Fàbregas was officially appointed head coach of Como’s first team.

The appointment represented the natural continuation of a journey that had begun with his arrival as a player and continued through his experiences with the Primavera, as interim head coach and as a member of the first-team staff.

His first major objective was to establish Como in Serie A following an absence of more than two decades from the Italian top flight.

Fàbregas worked to build a brave team capable of maintaining its identity even against more experienced opponents with greater squad depth.

Development of the Como Project

Como’s growth under Fàbregas has involved more than results on the pitch.

The project includes the development of the club’s infrastructure, improvements to the training centre, the progression of young players and the construction of a squad capable of competing consistently at the highest level.

Fàbregas has repeatedly emphasised the importance of developing a sustainable club with a recognisable methodology and a long-term vision.

Como’s qualification for European competition represented another important stage in the project’s growth and required the squad to adapt to a more demanding schedule.

Key Moments at Como

• Joined Como as a player in August 2022.
• Became involved in the club’s ownership project as a shareholder.
• Retired from professional football on July 1, 2023.
• Began his coaching career with the Como Primavera team.
• Was appointed interim head coach of the first team in November 2023.
• Worked as an assistant to Osian Roberts during Como’s promotion to Serie A.
• Was appointed first-team head coach on July 19, 2024.
• Led Como during the club’s first Serie A season in more than two decades.
• Developed a football identity based on possession, pressing and build-up play.
• Guided the continued domestic and European development of the Como project.

Playing Philosophy

Possession with Purpose

Possession is one of the central elements of Fàbregas’ philosophy, but keeping the ball is not treated as an objective in itself.

Como aim to use possession to control the rhythm of matches, move the opposition’s defensive structure and create spaces to attack.

The circulation of the ball must be patient when spaces are closed and faster when the team manages to break through a line of pressure.

Fàbregas asks his players to understand the purpose of each pass and recognise the correct moment to accelerate the attack.

Building from the Back

Como frequently attempt to begin attacks through the goalkeeper and centre-backs.

Building from the back is used to attract the opposition press and create space behind the first line of pressure.

The goalkeeper participates actively in the circulation of possession, while the defenders must be capable of advancing with the ball or finding midfielders between the opposition lines.

When the opposition prevents a short build-up, Como can use more direct passes towards the forwards or wide players.

Occupation of Space

Fàbregas’ teams attempt to occupy the width of the pitch and the inside channels in a rational manner.

The attacking players are not expected to remain in fixed positions. They must move continuously, interpret the available spaces and create passing options for their teammates.

The full-backs can advance along the touchline, move into central areas or contribute to the initial build-up depending on the opposition and the tactical situation.

These rotations are designed to disrupt defensive marking and create situations in which a player can receive between the opposition midfield and defensive lines.

High Pressing

Fàbregas wants Como to be proactive even when the team does not have the ball.

Como attempt to press high, direct the opposition’s build-up towards predetermined areas and recover possession as close as possible to the opposing goal.

The press requires coordination. The striker leads the pressure, the midfielders advance towards nearby opponents and the defensive line must maintain a high position.

If the opposition escapes the first press, Como must be prepared to recover their positions and protect the space behind the defensive line.

Managing Transitions

The management of transitions is fundamental to Fàbregas’ football.

After losing possession, Como attempt to recover the ball immediately or delay the opposition attack long enough for the team to regain its defensive structure.

After winning the ball, the players must recognise whether they can attack quickly or whether it is preferable to secure possession.

This decision-making allows the team to alternate between control and vertical football without losing its balance.

Developing Young Players

The development of young players is an important part of Fàbregas’ technical project.

His work is not limited to providing opportunities for inexperienced players. The objective is to improve their understanding of the game and prepare them for the demands of Serie A and European football.

Fàbregas values technical ability, personality, adaptability and a willingness to work for the team.

Tactical Influences

Arsène Wenger

Arsène Wenger played a fundamental role in Fàbregas’ development. At Arsenal, Wenger trusted him at a very young age and taught him a style of football based on technical quality, creative freedom and player development.

Pep Guardiola

His experience at Barcelona allowed Fàbregas to deepen his understanding of positional play, the rational occupation of space and the immediate recovery of possession.

José Mourinho

At Chelsea, José Mourinho taught him the importance of managing different moments of a match, maintaining balance and developing a competitive mentality.

Antonio Conte

Working with Antonio Conte added a greater focus on organisation, training intensity and the tactical preparation of different match scenarios.

Vicente del Bosque

Under Vicente del Bosque, Fàbregas was part of one of the most successful international teams in football history. His experience with Spain demonstrated how to manage a squad rich in talent and adapt a tactical structure to the characteristics of the players.

Coaching Career

Period	Team	Role
July 2023 – November 2023	Como Primavera	Head coach
November 2023 – December 2023	Como 1907	Interim head coach
December 2023 – July 2024	Como 1907	Assistant coach
Since July 19, 2024	Como 1907	First-team head coach

This coaching record can be updated as Cesc Fàbregas’ managerial career progresses.

Honours as a Player

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2004-05
• FA Community Shield: 2004

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2012-13
• Copa del Rey: 2011-12
• Spanish Super Cup: 2011 and 2013
• UEFA Super Cup: 2011
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2011

Chelsea

• Premier League: 2014-15 and 2016-17
• FA Cup: 2017-18
• English League Cup: 2014-15
• UEFA Europa League: 2018-19

Spain

• FIFA World Cup: 2010
• UEFA European Championship: 2008 and 2012

Coaching Strengths

• Understanding of positional play
• Building from the back
• High-press organisation
• Development of young players
• Possession management
• Interpretation of space
• Tactical adaptability
• Management of transitions
• International experience
• Leadership
• Communication with players
• Knowledge of different European leagues
• Ability to create a recognisable football identity
• Creation of numerical superiority
• Match preparation

Why Cesc Fàbregas Is Important for Como

Cesc Fàbregas represents one of the main connections between Como’s current identity and the club’s future ambitions.

His importance is not based only on the prestige of his playing career. Fàbregas has participated directly in the development of the project, moving from the pitch to the dugout and contributing to the construction of the club’s technical methodology.

His experience in Europe’s leading competitions provides Como with knowledge gained in very different football environments. He played in possession-oriented teams, sides focused on transitions and squads built to win immediately.

These experiences allow him to combine different principles without abandoning a clear identity. His Como team wants to control possession, press forward and take an active role in every match.

Fàbregas is also important to the club’s ability to attract young and ambitious players. The opportunity to work with a coach who competed at the highest level can make the project particularly attractive to developing talent.

His understanding of midfield play and possession is visible in the attention given to distances, passing angles and movement between the lines.

Como’s project requires time, continuity and a shared vision. Fàbregas embodies that vision and remains one of the central figures in the club’s transformation into a competitive force in Italy and Europe.

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