Football Italia
·13 May 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFootball Italia
·13 May 2024
Cesc Fabregas opened up about his promotion-winning season at Como, the plans for their Serie A campaign and the rumours surrounding Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder took over at the Serie B outfit back in November, transforming the team after their tough start to the season. Whilst officially the assistant coach due to his lack of badges, he is the de-facto leader of the squad.
Como have now officially secured a spot in Serie A for the 2024-25 season, their first time in the topflight for over two decades, and Fabregas is expected to remain at the helm. Parma have also achieved promotion, whilst the other spot is still up for grabs in the playoffs.
Speaking to DAZN via TMW, Fabregas opened up about his impressive season in charge at Como and their push for promotion.
“We are celebrating with the whole team and the fans of the club. There is great happiness for everyone, after a long time it is right to celebrate in the best possible way.
“The Primavera experience was very important for me, it was my first as a coach and it made me understand several things, especially how to talk to the players to help them believe in their potential and create the mentality to win all the games.
“I tried to do the same thing with the first team, even if I arrived too quickly and I didn’t expect it. I had an extra year on my contract to continue playing but I’m happy to have made this decision.”
He was asked about his inspirations in the dugout.
“To myself, I don’t look to anyone. I have clear ideas, for me we have to work, I’m fair to everyone or at least I try to be.
“I tried to bring a certain winning mentality. This is the most important thing, we can all talk about tactics, it’s simple, but creating a strong mentality is the most important thing.
“There were stronger teams than us as a squad, in six months we achieved a feat, and we are very happy.”
“The simplest thing was finding guys I played with last year. Thanks to this I made the decision to move forward with this project, I knew it was a family and that I could entrust my life to players like Gabrielloni.”
Fabregas commented on the hardest part this season.
“It was my first experience, we had ups and downs, with always different teams to face. Us, Parma and Catanzaro have always tried to offer football, not to play man to man like many do in Serie B.
“The team defended deep before, with the 3-5-2, but they were intelligent in changing and I’m proud. I really enjoyed the experience.”
Finally, Fabregas discussed his thoughts on Serie B in general and the rumours linking Vardy to Como.
“I had never followed Serie B, there are physically and technically strong players and I’m happy now to take a step forward and raise the level, play against very strong players and coaches. Today we celebrate, from tomorrow we’ll start preparing for the new season by working hard.
“Vardy certainly won’t come, he’s not a goal. We have to make the team with the aim of saving ourselves, then if we do more it would be perfect, whoever believes, as we have done this year. From November 25th to today we have been the best in Serie B.”