Former Chelsea Star Cesc Fabregas has been appointed as the manager of this shocking European giant this evening.

Cesc Fabregas’ strolling along the footpaths circling Lake Como attracts few glances. After all, it is a site well-known among the wealthy and famous, which adds to its attraction.

Boat journeys over the glittering water past Richard Branson and George Clooney’s homes, and the location has been utilized to film several Hollywood blockbusters, including James Bond and Star Wars.

It is the ideal setting for a football legend – a World Cup champion with two European Championships to enjoy his incognito.

However, Fabregas is not merely enjoying his retirement. Far from it. He is a coach and shareholder with Italian club Como 1907, which has also received funding from Fabregas’ former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry. And Fabregas’ engagement extends well beyond the location.

“I saw individuals who wanted to build this club and do things the way I always wanted to,” Fabregas, who is presently the assistant manager, tells Telegraph Sport. “It was at the beginning, so we could start from scratch. That was intriguing. I could play here for the next few years and continue to grow as a manager while doing what I enjoy. It was a long-term project, which is what I was searching for.”

Cesc Fabregas with Como 1907/Cesc Fabregas enjoys vital part in £1 billion ambition to convert Como from minnows to giants.
Fabregas (right) cuts an energetic figure on the sideline. CREDIT: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
Cesc Fabregas with Como 1907/Cesc Fabregas enjoys vital part in £1 billion ambition to convert Como from minnows to giants.
The World Cup champion hopes to help Como become a global brand. CREDIT: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
With promotion to Serie A nearly certain, Fabregas’ choice to join the club two years ago has shown to be wise.

With Milan just half an hour away, 1907 has lost support to European behemoths Inter and AC, according to possible acquisitions.

Como has had 13 top-flight seasons, the most recent in 2003, however they have primarily played in Italy’s second and third levels. Bankruptcies? They’ve had several. Relegations? Too many to list.

From a selection of annus horribilis contenders, 2016-17 narrowly wins. Out of business, out of professional football, and onto Serie D.

After a brief time of ownership by Akosua Puni Essien, the wife of former Chelsea footballer Michael, the sands switched in April 2019. The Hartono brothers acquired the club through their Djarum Group (an Indonesian conglomerate with holdings in tobacco, Bank Central Asia, and Mola, a streaming service that is currently a club sponsor).

Debts were satisfied. One promotion happened within months, and another, to Serie B, arrived two seasons later. Dwindling gates of 400 have increased to a constant 7,000, with roughly half retaining season tickets.

British recruits drive Como ahead.
A scattering of names recognized to those who watched English and Welsh football have contributed to success.

Dennis Wise, a former chief executive and now a consultant, helped convince Fabregas to join as a player in August 2022. Within weeks, Henry’s investment had been verified.

Fabregas began coaching the 1907 Primavera (Under-19) squad after retiring at the age of 36 last summer. Following Moreno Longo’s resignation in November, Fabregas oversaw the seniors for a month, the maximum time allowed by the Italian Football Federation before completing coaching badges.

Osian Roberts, the head of development, came in December and is presently serving as caretaker manager. Roberts worked as Chris Coleman’s assistant at the 2016 European Championship before moving on to help Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace and a development position with Qatar World Cup semifinalists Morocco.

On match days, Roberts patrols the touchline while Fabregas sits in the trench-like dugouts. He kicks every ball from below ground, occasionally rushing up to follow directions and bashing both palms against the roof in fury. His involvement in Serie A next season may be even more important.

Cesc Fabregas is enjoying a vital part in a £1 billion ambition to convert Como from minnows to giants.
Despite playing as an exceptional player, Fabregas demonstrates patience with his squad. CREDITS: Como 1907.
Ces Fabregas in training with Como 1907/Cesc Fabregas enjoying his role in a £1 billion ambition to convert Como from minnows to giants
Como’s squad goes through maneuvers during training. Credit: Como 1907.
Fabregas maintains a youthful demeanor despite the beard. It’s difficult not to remember the 16-year-old who embarrassed Premier League veterans and made passes that no one could have predicted.

He pauses in the middle of a practice at Mozzate Training Complex in 1907. He gestures to a couple of bystanders on a bridge 200 yards distant, above big lettering that say “Non c’è sconfitta nel cuore di chi lotta” or “There is no defeat in the heart of those who battle.”

“Always the same folks,” he exclaims in English. Photographic evidence will subsequently assist staff determine if they are rival spies or simply enthusiastic supporters.

Fabregas’ transitional exercise continues. “This is the thing we need to automate.” His voice is quiet but powerful, and he smoothly switches between several languages.

A terrible touch. “Not a problem.” Some premier football coaches struggle because their players are unable to achieve the exploits they were capable of. It doesn’t appear to be the situation here.

Fabregas’ changing style of play
His adaptability has pleased colleagues, and since he began coaching the first squad, 1907’s possession and offensive figures have skyrocketed – perhaps unsurprising considering his background at Arsenal and Barcelona, but Fabregas believes that no single theory tops all. “Football is continuously going in different directions, and you must be prepared to click each button at the appropriate time,” he continues.