Manchester United’s meeting with Como in the UEFA Champions League could provide an opportunity to assess Cesc Fabregas, whose impressive transformation of the Italian club has strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s emerging managerial talents.
The former Spain international has guided Como from the lower divisions to the Champions League in less than three years, attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including United, who are reportedly considering their managerial options under Michael Carrick.
Fabregas’ achievements have raised questions about whether the former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder could eventually become the man to lead United back to the top of European football.
Como director Carlalberto Ludi recently described Fabregas as an even better coach than he was a player, a remarkable assessment of a footballer who won the World Cup and European Championship with Spain and played under some of the game’s most influential managers.
From struggling player to rising managerial star
Fabregas’ journey into management began towards the end of his playing career at Monaco, where injuries restricted him to just 36 minutes of Ligue 1 action during the 2021/22 season.
Rather than immediately walking away from football, the Spaniard sought a fresh challenge that would allow him to develop his coaching ambitions.
Como provided that opportunity in 2022, bringing him on board as both a player and shareholder while the club was still building its long-term future.
The project offered Fabregas a chance to influence the club beyond the pitch, and he gradually became central to its football operations.
With financial backing from Indonesia’s Djarum Group and support from the club’s management, Como began building a team capable of competing at a higher level. Fabregas played a significant role in shaping its recruitment strategy, tactical identity and player development.
His impact became evident as Como progressed through the Italian football system and eventually secured qualification for the Champions League.
Reflecting on the club’s transformation after their decisive victory over Cremonese at the end of the 2025/26 Serie A season, Fabregas recalled the difficult conditions they faced when he arrived.
He explained that the club initially lacked even a proper training ground, with medical treatments sometimes carried out on tables in the back room of a bar.
The contrast between those early struggles and Como’s emergence on Europe’s biggest stage illustrates the scale of the progress made under his leadership.
Developing players rather than chasing superstars
One of Fabregas’ biggest strengths has been his ability to identify and develop players who might struggle to secure regular opportunities at more established clubs.
Argentine midfielder Nico Paz is a notable example. After leaving Real Madrid for Como in 2024, Paz received the playing time and freedom needed to develop his abilities under Fabregas.
The midfielder has credited the Spaniard with giving him confidence, helping him improve and allowing him to express himself on the pitch.
Fabregas also places considerable importance on character, discipline and ambition when recruiting players.
His approach reflects a belief that a footballer’s mentality can be just as important as natural ability, particularly when building a competitive team without relying exclusively on expensive signings.
That philosophy has helped Como develop a recognisable identity while competing against clubs with considerably greater experience at the highest level.
A tactical approach shaped by Europe’s best
Fabregas’ managerial philosophy has also benefited from his experience working under leading coaches, including Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte.
Having played under managers with different approaches to possession, pressing, defensive organisation and counter-attacking football, he has developed an appreciation for tactical flexibility.
Although Como are known for their attacking style and aggressive pressing, Fabregas has insisted that he does not want his teams to rely on a single system.
Instead, he wants his players to understand different tactical solutions and adapt to the challenges presented by individual opponents.
That willingness to maintain his principles, even after difficult defeats, suggests a coach focused on long-term development rather than short-term results alone.
Como’s ownership initially encouraged him to establish a distinctive playing identity rather than simply prioritise winning matches. The results have followed, and the club has increasingly attracted attention beyond Italy.
Could Manchester United make a move?
United’s reported interest in Fabregas is particularly intriguing because the Premier League giants previously attempted to sign him during his playing career at Barcelona.
The club could now view him as a potential managerial candidate, given his ability to build a team, improve young players and establish a clear footballing philosophy.
United have spent years searching for the right combination of leadership, tactical consistency and player development to restore their position among Europe’s leading clubs.
Fabregas’ work at Como appears to address several of those needs, although managing a club with United’s expectations, global profile and financial resources would present a different level of pressure.
His relative inexperience at the highest level of management would also be a consideration. Success at Como does not automatically guarantee that he could reproduce the same results at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, his rapid progress has made him a coach worth monitoring as questions about United’s long-term managerial direction continue.
For now, Fabregas remains focused on Como’s development, but his achievements have strengthened the possibility of a future move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
As Manchester United prepare to face Como in the Champions League, the encounter provides an opportunity to examine the progress of a manager whose reputation is growing almost as quickly as the club he has helped transform.
Whether Fabregas eventually becomes United’s next manager remains uncertain, but his journey from an injury-hit former midfielder to one of Europe’s most promising young coaches has already made him a compelling figure in the managerial market.