How Fabregas reacted to Como’s historic Champions League qualification
Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas has showered encomiums on his players after they sealed a place in the Champions League for the first time in their history.
The club booked their place in the competition in style after an emphatic 4-1 win over Cremonese on Sunday, beating Italian giants, AC Milan and Juventus to the slot.
The Blue and Whites needed a win hoping that AC Milan lost to Cagliari to earn a place in Europe, they did their job while the Rosonerri suffered a shock defeat at home to drop down to the Europa League with a fifth place finish.
Fabregas, who took charge of the team following their promotion to the Italian Serie A last season, was full of praise for his players for the phenomenal feat.
He said: “The last circle of the season.
“I told you the day before Parma, we win the two games, we are in the Champions League. I don’t know why I told you, I had a feeling, I always get my responses by feeling.
“But guys, this is all up to you. It’s all thanks to every one of you. We try to help you, we try to give you certain solutions, but you are the reason that this is so beautiful. I thank you for all my life. All my life, because this would be probably the best group I will ever coach in my future.
“I have no doubt you will be remembered forever. Now we can say that and more. And I’ll see you guys, enjoy a f***ing good holidays, enjoy a big party, you deserve everything, whoever goes to the World Cup, all the best.
“What are we doing next year? Champions League!”
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Fabregas also guided Como to their first Coppa Italia semi-final in history this season before they lost to eventual winners Inter Milan.
The Spanish manager was also full of praises for the club’s staff for their support since he joined the club four years ago.
“I always say that I had to make many decisions here, because I was practically given the keys to the football side of things, and there was practically nothing when we started,” he added.
“I was talking to two physios today who were with us four years ago when I came, we didn’t have a training ground, so we’d do massages on tables in the back room of a bar! Now, we are in the Champions League!
“It is my second year and a half as a coach, so thanks to the staff for the way they push and inspire me, and understand me.
“I realise I’m tough to deal with at times, but this is my life, always trying to do more. I have grown so much in this experience.
“It has been like going to a football university every day, because I had to make so many decisions. The day I do leave here, I will become just a coach.”
Como recorded 20 wins, 11 draws and seven defeats to finish fourth while also scoring 65 goals, and conceding 29. Only champions Inter Milan scored for more goals than the Blue and Whites.
Fabregas’ Journey With Como
In 2019, the Indonesian Djarum Group acquired Como with Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry becoming minority shareholders at the club.
In the summer of 2022, Fabregas joined Como and played there for his last season as a professional soccer player before retiring and starting his coaching career.
In November 2023, he took charge of the team as caretaker coach despite not having a UEFA license.
Como appointed Welshman Osian Roberts as the interim head coach to lead the team until the end of the season, but Fabregas remained on the coaching staff and, in reality, he was the one in charge of the first team.
He led them to 15 wins, six draws, and four losses in 25 Serie B matches to gain promotion to the Serie A in 2024.
In his first season in the top flight, Fabregas guided them to an impressive 10th position before taking the team six places higher in the 2025-26 season.
Fabregas has joined an impressive list of ex-footballers, who have transitioned into administration namely, David Beckham, Ronaldo Nazario, Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo among many others.
