Como's remarkable rise under Cesc Fabregas has put the club on the verge of European qualification for the first time in their history, but the manager's future remains a subject of intense speculation. Fabregas led Como to promotion from Serie B in the summer of 2024, and the club finished ninth in Serie A last season, their highest finish since 1987, according to multiple reports. This season, Como currently sit fifth in Serie A with five matches remaining, though they have lost three straight matches in all competitions, including a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg defeat to Inter Milan after two late goals. Como have never before competed in European competition, and a top-six finish would secure a historic debut in continental football.
Fabregas, who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea before leaving for Monaco in 2019, is linked with his former clubs Barcelona and Chelsea, according to multiple reports. Chelsea have lost five league games in a row without scoring, a first since 1912, and sacked Liam Rosenior, appointing Calum McFarlane as interim head coach. Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Filipe Luis are among candidates for the Chelsea job, but Fabregas has distanced himself from the role, saying he is focused on Como. Fabregas said in a press conference that he knows nothing about Suwarso's comments and that the most important thing is the next match against Genoa.
Cesc is our linchpin, around whom our entire project is centred. He's a phenomenon, I've been saying it for three years now, and he's growing every month. He has an incredible desire to learn and improve, he has an ambition and a hunger like no other. We owe him a lot, I think we're aligned culturally and in terms of objectives, and I'm confident we'll continue together for a long time because just as we give so much to him, he also gives so much back to us every day.
Como president Mirwan Suwarso told City AM he would not stand in Fabregas' way if he wants to go to Chelsea. According to Metro - Main, Suwarso described Fabregas as "really very important for us, but we would be stupid not to think that one day he could go to Arsenal, Barcelona or Chelsea." Suwarso added that if Fabregas continues to be successful, he could have bigger dreams, and that when he leaves, he should be involved in choosing his successor. According to Metro - Main, Suwarso also said: "You want your employees to stay with you for as long as possible but at the end of the day we don't own him and he's free to go to Chelsea if he wishes." Fabregas is a co-owner of Como, and Suwarso told Fotbollskanalen that it is not a problem for him to coach a team outside Italy while being a co-owner, describing it as a matter of "business is business and ideas are ideas."
In contrast, sporting director Carlalberto Ludi has expressed confidence that Fabregas will remain. Ludi said in a press conference that Fabregas is a phenomenon and is growing every month, and that he is confident they will continue together for a long time. Ludi added that the club has never been afraid and that they are confident in the relationship with Fabregas. According to Fotbolltransfers, Ludi said that he and Fabregas have spoken several times and are aligned on what they want, and that unless something extraordinary happens on the transfer market, Fabregas will continue with Como.
We've never been afraid. After that, we'll see. We cannot predict the future but we're confident in the relationship we have with Cesc and the work we do every day.
The mixed signals from Como's hierarchy create uncertainty about Fabregas's future. Ludi downplays the possibility of departure, while Suwarso openly acknowledges it. Fabregas himself has said he knows nothing about Suwarso's comments and that the most important thing is the next match against Genoa.
Meanwhile, Como's star player Nico Paz has emerged as a key figure in the club's success. Paz joined Como from Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, according to multiple reports, and has scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists in 68 competitive matches for Como. Real Madrid has a buy-back clause and a 50% sell-on clause for Paz, with the buy-back price set at €9 million in summer 2026 and €11 million in summer 2027, according to multiple reports. According to Fotbolltransfers, Ludi said that there is a big chance Paz stays at Como for another year, and that European football would benefit Como's chances of keeping him.
Cesc is really very important for us, but we would be stupid not to think that one day he could go to Arsenal, Barcelona or Chelsea. If he continues to win with us or in any case to be successful, even if I cannot speak for him, I believe he could have bigger dreams. Having said that, I hope that as long as he is here he will help us create a success plan also for those who will have to replace him. For me, when he leaves, if he ever leaves, he should be the one to choose who will take his place. He should be involved in the choice. Being a member of the Board of Football, he will have to help us appoint the next coach.
The uncertainty surrounding both Fabregas and Paz adds intrigue to Como's run-in. The club's league position is disputed: some reports say Como sit fifth, while others say fourth, which affects the perception of their Champions League qualification chances. The exact nature of Fabregas's co-ownership role and how it might affect a potential move remains unclear. Who will be appointed as Chelsea's permanent head coach is also unknown, as is whether Real Madrid will activate Paz's buy-back clause. Como's ability to qualify for European competition this season will likely influence both Fabregas's and Paz's decisions.
You want your employees to stay with you for as long as possible but at the end of the day we don't own him and he's free to go to Chelsea if he wishes.
I don't have to say anything, because I haven't heard anything from the president. You say that, I know nothing about it. It would be stupid to think about things that aren't important now, because this isn't important to me: the most important thing is Genoa, the next match, and we want to do everything to win. I think I'll continue as Como's coach: my experience as a player gives me peace of mind.
There is a big chance that Nico Paz stays with us for another year.
European football would benefit us. The chances of him staying are still high today, despite the World Cup being a factor.
We have spoken several times already. Right now we agree on what he wants to do and what Como wants. Unless something extraordinary happens on the transfer market that concerns him, we will continue together. We can talk about what we offer him, not what others might offer him. At the moment we are not at all worried about him leaving us.
Business is business and ideas are ideas. We have to look at things in a way that is logical. It's common sense.