10 years ago, if you thought of Como, you’d think of the picturesque shores of the lake for which it is and forever will be known.

Even if, a decade ago, someone mentioned a new reason for fame besides its renowned lake, few would associate it with football.

As we observe the 2025-26 season, amidst breathtaking scenery, there emerges a football squad poised to challenge Italy’s football giants, guided by none other than ex-Barcelona and Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas.

Initial Concern and proving the doubters wrong

When a coach steps into their first managerial role, there’s always apprehension about their transition from player to coach—something Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard can attest to, as a stellar playing career doesn’t ensure coaching triumph. For Fabregas, this meant trading in a jersey for a quarter-zip and sneakers.

In fact, many predicted Como would make an immediate to the second tier, with Opta predicting a 49 per cent chance of relegation last season.

Cesc Fabregas is leading the revelation at Como as they look to upset the big boys in Serie A

Como have, through a combination of investment, tactical ingenuity and bold decision-making, risen to the top flight

Defying expectations, which doubted Fabregas and Como’s ability to succeed in their inaugural season at the top level, they astounded critics with a 10th place finish—just shy of European qualification—the best in the club’s history.

Even Arsene Wenger admitted he was surprised by the rapid rise and immediate success of his former captain.

‘The truth is, I didn’t expect such rapid success, but I do believe Fabregas will be a great coach in the future,’ Wenger told Marca.

‘Sometimes, when you go so quickly from playing to coaching, it’s difficult to adapt, and he’s done it very quickly.

‘He’s invited me to come to Como to see him. At some point I’ll honour that invitation.’

Backing Cesc

Robert and Michael Hartono, who acquired Como in 2019, boast a combined fortune exceeding £35 billion, making them the richest proprietors in Serie A.

Since Fabregas’s 2023 hiring, he’s been granted a budget of up to £150 million to reinforce the team, meaning financial prowess has certainly played a role in their recent achievements.

But putting their hands in their incredibly deep pockets is not the only way Robert and Michael have shown support for their manager.

In July of last year, former Chelsea and England midfielder Dennis Wise announced he would be resigning from his role as the club’s CEO. Wise citied the owner’s decision to ‘follow Cesc Fabregas’ as the reason for his decision.

Despite raising eyebrows at the time, the decision to support Fabregas in whatever capacity over the more experienced Wise, whom at the time had been in post far longer than the head coach, showed unity and togetherness from the very top.

Since his appointment in 2023, Fabregas, meanwhile, has been given funds worth up to £150m to spend

Como have also been smarter in their recruitment, going few fewer big names and more smarter buys

A recruitment switch

Since their rise to the topflight, Como have made no secret of their intentions to use their world-famous location to their advantage in an attempt to attract big name players and boost their reputation.

Since the takeover, the likes of Pepe Reina, Alberto Moreno, Raphael Varane, Sergi Roberto and Dele Alli have all been and, in most cases, gone. Even Fabregas himself initially arrived with the intention of doing his work in a playing capacity.

However, after the deals for Varane and Alli proved to be flops, Fabregas and sporting director Carlalberto Ludi realised this wasn’t the way Como were going to reach the very top.

The board, which includes Fabregas’ former team-mate Thierry Henry, recognised that and opted to change the way in which they recruited players.

Both in the window just gone and last season Como stopped going for big-name players, who in most cases brought with them hefty wage demands.

Instead, they have opted to go for smarter pick-ups – younger players with potential, often out of favour at their current clubs and who most importantly fit the footballing philosophy of Fabregas himself.

This summer, Martin Baturina and Maxime Perrone, both 22, arrived from Dinamo Zagreb and Manchester City respectively. The arrival of Baturina in particular represented a shift in their focus in recruitment.

With the promise of a starring role, Baturina was convinced and a deal worth £15million was completed.

After the deals for Varane and Alli proved to be flops, the Italian side changed their approach

The permanent signing of Perrone was a slightly different one. Having been on loan last season, the fact the deal was made permanent for the small fee of £10m represented unilateral thinking from the board and the manager.

The jewel in Como’s crown however is Nico Paz. Paz arrived last season from Real Madrid for £7m and, after an outstanding campaign last term which included six goals and nine assists, Paz was the main man in a team which led Como to their highest finish ever (10th).

In the summer, Como were able to stave off interested from Spain and a reported £40m bid from Tottenham in order to retain his services. Paz seems unmoved, already registering a goal and an assist this season, while also ranking top in the whole league for shot and goal creating actions.

Jesus Rodriguez, still only 19, also arrived in a deal worth £25m, a club-record, the most expensive of the 11 permanent arrivals this season, all of which cost upwards of £100m.

Tactics

As a former player of Pep Guardiola, Wenger and Jose Mourinho, it’ll be no surprise that Fabregas is a tactically astute manger. However, he’s far more than just Guardiola or Wenger 2.0.

The Spaniard has used the ideas of some of the best coaches alongside developing his own ideas about how the game should be played.

Having come through at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, the former Premier League winner places great emphasis on keeping possession of the ball to dominate games and create chances.

This season Como have the third highest average possession (63 per cent), only behind league favourites Napoli and Inter.

Fabregas looks to build up primarily through the middle of the pitch, often creating central overloads and third man runs, possibly as a nod to his time as a midfielder.

This not only means that they are able to dominate the ball because the ball is often where Como’s most technically astute players (Paz and Baturina) play, but, when they do lose it, they do so in area where they have a numerical advantage.

They are then able to press, win the ball and either recycle it or spring a quick attack. Ranking joint third (58) for tackles and interceptions this season indicates their press is not only aggressive, but also effective.

As a former player of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, it should be no surprise how tactically astute Fabregas is

While Fabregas hunts Europe, Como will face a challenge holding onto the former midfielder

What’s next for Cesc?

As is the case with any managerial success story, the rumour-mill is already swirling as for what’s next for the World Cup winner.

Naturally, Fabregas has been linked with a return to the Premier League given his achievements in Italy, and, while his immediate future seems to lie by the lake, Fabregas has admitted he would one day like to return to the English top-flight.

‘We are working well, people are very dedicated, the owners are investing well and smartly,’ he said last year. ‘We are all on the same page, evolving every single week to try and create this family, this union, let’s see where we are at the season.

‘I am doing my own way at the moment. 100 per cent my ambition one day is to coach a top club in the Premier League, the Champions League.’

The story of Como’s rapid rise to Italian football’s top-table is not just one based on astronomical sums or big names. Plenty of clubs have spent far more than they have and achieved far less.

Instead, it’s a story which shows how joined up thinking and patience is the key to footballing progress. Once a place known for reasons purely geographical, its residents and fans have a football club that excites and achieves. If they continue with that trajectory, ‘the boys from the lake’ will be the ones on the tail of Italian football’s biggest fish.

The question now is, what’s next? The challenge for Fabregas: European football. The challenge for Como: Keep hold of Fabregas.