Cesc Fàbregas Managerial Rise stuns the football world as the former Arsenal star climbs the coaching ladder faster than anyone, including Wenger, expected.
Arsène Wenger, the legendary former Arsenal manager, has expressed his surprise at the managerial rise and impressive transition of his former captain, Cesc Fàbregas, into football management. Speaking to Marca, Wenger admitted he didn’t anticipate such a rapid ascent for the Spaniard, who only retired from professional football in July 2023.
Fàbregas, known for his intelligence and vision on the pitch, wasted no time after hanging up his boots. He immediately took charge of Como’s Under-19 team, having already begun working on his coaching badges during the twilight of his playing career. Just months later, following the dismissal of Moreno Longo, he was promoted to interim head coach of the first team in November 2023.
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His impact was immediate. After a brief stint with Asian Roberts, Fàbregas was named permanent head coach in August 2024, and what followed was nothing short of remarkable.
Under Fàbregas’ leadership, Como achieved a historic 10th-place finish in the 2024/25 Serie A season—just two spots behind AC Milan. This was the club’s best league finish in over two decades, and a far cry from the relegation battle many had predicted.
Wenger, who managed Fàbregas at Arsenal and made him captain in 2008, praised his former protégé’s adaptability:
“The truth is, I didn’t expect such rapid success, but I do believe Fabregas will be a great coach in the future… Sometimes, when you go so quickly from playing to coaching, it’s difficult to adapt, and he’s done it very quickly”.
While Fàbregas wasn’t the most vocal leader in the dressing room, Wenger emphasized his on-field character and intelligence.
“He didn’t say much in the dressing room, but he had his character on the field… He understood the game well, he was intelligent, although I didn’t expect him to become a coach so quickly”.
Fàbregas has even invited Wenger to visit him at Como—a gesture the Frenchman says he intends to honor. It’s a full-circle moment for two football minds who once shared the same touchline, now connected by a new chapter in the beautiful game.
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