At A Glance:
- Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been thriving at the helm of Como 1907.
- He spoke to Mikel Arteta before taking up the role in Italy.
- Could he be the eventual replacement for Arteta in north London?
Although silverware has evaded him for the most part, Mikel Arteta has become an inspiration for many young football managers – and that is the same for Cesc Fabregas. And the latter has now revealed a chat he had with the former before taking the Como job.
The two never rubbed shoulders on the pitch during their respective careers but the fact they both made a name for themselves at the Gunners.
That – combined with the fact they are both Spanish – means they have a close bond and Fabregas, six years Arteta’s junior, has revealed that they spoke before his Como appointment.
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Fabregas has emerged as one of the most promising managers in world football after taking on the role of manager at Como in the summer of 2024 and he’ll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman.
Fabregas spoke to Arteta before taking on Como duties
At the time of writing, Fabregas’ Como fourth in Serie A – ahead of Juventus, Roma, Atalanta and the like – and will hope to secured themselves a place in next season’s Champions League. They are currently on the verge but can they do it?
Sure. With Fabregas guidance from the touchline, anything is possible.
The midfielder-turned-tactician, 38, has been central to their transformation into European hopefuls but his lack of experience meant that he was unsure whether to even take the role in the first place.
Because of his overclouding doubts, Fabregas spoke to Arteta – and his advice led him to accepting the job. Per Football Italia, he said of their conversation:
“I had spoken to [Mikel] Arteta and said I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this. He told me: ‘We are so competitive that even if you are not ready, your urge to be competitive will push you to find solutions and give you that vision.’
Cesc Fabregas then claimed that he’s realised that Arteta was correct two years into his managerial career. “I can say that two years later, he was right,” he said.
“My staff helped with advice, but at the end of the day, I am the one who has to talk, to make decisions, to feel it within me. A coach has to be ready.”
Per Transfermarkt figures, Fabregas has racked up a point-per-match ratio of 1.60 over 75 matches and is contracted until the summer of 2028. The likelihood, though, is that he will have moved on by that point.
Could Fabregas be Arteta’s successor at Arsenal?
His next job could be… Arsenal. While Arteta may not be under pressure from Gunners higher-ups at the moment, any more seasons without silverware could raise questions over whether he has taken them as far as they can go under his stewardship.
Fabregas – who played 303 times for the club between 2004 and 2011 – is the most viable replacement given his existing affinity to the club.
Not only that but he is widely regarded as one of the best young coaches on the planet. He’s tactically flexible, is able to handle the pressure and his careers garners respect from players.
| Appointed | 19/07/2024 |
| In charge until? | 30/06/2028 |
| Matches | 75 |
| Wins | 33 |
| Draws | 21 |
| Losses | 21 |
| Points per match | 1.60 |
It’s not a shoo-in that Fabregas will replace his compatriot when he inevitably moves onto pastures new. That moment will come eventually – and Arsenal could do much worse than looking to appoint their former midfielder.
