Como confident of keeping Cesc Fabregas amid Inter interest
Como are confident of keeping Cesc Fabregas amid interest in their head coach from other clubs including Inter.
Fabregas, in his first full season in management, established Como in the Serie A mid-table in what was the club's first top-flight campaign since 2003. Como finished the season 10th.
The former Spain international's impact has attracted the attention of Inter, who contacted Como in relation to their now vacant head coach position. Simone Inzaghi left the Champions League finalists on Tuesday and is expected to accept a lucrative offer to take over at Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.
Advertisement
Como do not want to lose Fabregas with the situation further complicated by his own personal investment in the Lombardy club.
Como are owned by the Djarum Group of Indonesia and are estimated to be the wealthiest club in Italy with Fabregas, as well as his former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry, minority stakeholders. A move within Italy is therefore seen as extremely difficult.
'Obviously, there is an emotional aspect, I cannot deny that,' Fabregas said on his future after the win over Cagliari last month, via Tuttomercato. 'Whatever happens, I will always be grateful to this club, proud of what is being built around Como. This energy at the Stadio Sinigaglia is different to when I arrived as a player.
'I want to leave here leaving an inheritance, as the important thing is that whoever follows me will find a great club with lads who have a spectacular work ethic. I want to leave this to Como, then obviously I am very fond of everyone, very involved in their future too. When the moment comes, I will say something.'
Fabregas initially became interim head coach at Como in November 2023 after they sacked Moreno Longo, having previously been an assistant after retiring as a player that summer. Former Crystal Palace assistant Osian Roberts took over interim duties in December 2023, with Fabregas reverting to his previous position. Como were promoted at the end of the season, with Fabregas then appointed as head coach on a four-year deal and Roberts taking on the role of head of development.
Following promotion, Como recruited Fabregas' former Spain team-mate Pepe Reina, as well as Sergi Roberto from Barcelona, Raphael Varane from Manchester United and Nico Paz from Real Madrid, though Varane later retired after making only one appearance.
A former midfielder, Fabregas enjoyed a glittering playing career winning league titles with Barcelona and Chelsea as well as being a key figure in World Cup and European Championship-winning (twice) teams with Spain.
()
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ollie Watkins withdraws from England squad as precaution over minor injury
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the England squad due to a minor injury. Thomas Tuchel's side are preparing for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona before hosting Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground on Tuesday. Advertisement Watkins was part of England's training camp in Spain this week but the Football Association has confirmed the 18-cap Euro 2024 semi-final hero will play no part in the June double-header. 'Ollie Watkins will play no part in England's forthcoming fixtures against Andorra and Senegal,' read an update from the governing body. 'The Aston Villa striker has withdrawn from the squad as a precaution due to a minor injury. 'A 25-man squad will now continue preparations for Saturday's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.'
Fox Sports
19 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
A year from World Cup, US tries to right itself after Copa America and CONCACAF Nations League flops
Associated Press One year from hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1994, the U.S. team is struggling to right itself on the field and regain the confidence of a distressed fan base. Shaken by flops at the Copa America and the CONCACAF Nations League, the U.S. plays Turkey on Saturday at East Hartford, Connecticut, and Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee. The team then heads to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, its last competitive matches until the Americans' World Cup opener on June 12 next year. 'There is a palpable and fair angst and maybe even worse apathy relative to this team given its recent failures,' former American defender and Fox Sports lead analyst Alexi Lalas said Friday. 'A year out from the World Cup, I don't think that many of us predicted that we would be in this frame of mind at this point in time.' After reaching the second round of the 2022 World Cup, the U.S. was eliminated in the group stage of the Copa America last summer, causing the U.S. Soccer Federation to replace coach Gregg Berhalter with Mauricio Pochettino. The Americans then lost to Panama and Canada at the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March. 'We've struggled. We've got beat down ... pegged back a stone, so to speak,' midfielder Tyler Adams, the 2022 World Cup captain, said Friday from the team's training camp in Chicago. 'We need to continue to prove that we are at this level and able to improve." Among the missing are Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna. Some are hurt, some want time off and some will be at the Club World Cup. Pochettino's roster includes seven players who could make national team debuts and 15 from Major League Soccer. The group averages 16 international appearances and will compete in a tournament where defending champion Mexico has many of its veterans. 'Good enough? I will let you know after,' Pochettino said. "I think we have quality players and now, of course, we need to build a team, a team that fights for each other and show that we have the quality.' After this tournament, there will be just four more FIFA windows until players arrive for training ahead of the World Cup, and the team will play only non-competition games. 'I don't think there's any denying that some of our performances have fallen short over the past year to 18 months," said 32-year-old defender Walker Zimmerman, a 2022 World Cup veteran. 'It's something that us as players we obviously aren't satisfied with and that's a big focal point for this camp.' Pochettino has selected 59 players since taking over in October. He turned over the roster after the team's dismal showing in March. 'We can lose, but there's a way to lose and I think that what we showed out on the pitch, to the fans, wasn't anywhere near good enough in terms of the mentality and intensity,' goalkeeper Matt Turner said. 'When you lose and then you have so long in between games, you know you obviously think a lot about what could have gone different and you analyze every aspect of environment, player selection and all that. But for us we know from player one to player 60 or however many are in this pool, the minimum standard is that we're going show up and we're going to be intense and we lacked that in Los Angeles.' Diego Luna, a 21-year-old midfielder, impressed Pochettino during his international debut against Costa Rica in January when his nose was broken by an early elbow and he insisted on staying in the game through the first half with cotton stuffed in his nose to absorb the blood. 'That experience for me was, I could say, life-changing," Luna said. 'I think added an opportunity for me to come back into more camps and show the type of the grit and the hunger that I have to play and represent for my country. ... Mauricio really liked that about me and really liked the fight that I had and I think that shows other players that that's what's needed in this team and to fight through everything.' ___ AP soccer: recommended
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Set to Receive £56m Financial Boost Ahead of Summer Transfer Window
Liverpool's £56m Summer Transfer Windfall: What It Means for Arne Slot and the Reds As Liverpool head into their first summer transfer window under Arne Slot fresh off a stunning Premier League title win, reports from The Mirror have confirmed what fans have been eager to hear – a minimum £56 million boost to the transfer budget is incoming. This financial injection, courtesy of their league triumph and a series of commercial revenue distributions, sets up an exciting off-season at Anfield. Advertisement With Slot having already laid a strong foundation, Richard Hughes, Liverpool's recently appointed sporting director, is now preparing to enter the transfer market with significant funds behind him. Given the minimal spend over the past few windows, expectations are rising that this could be the summer where Liverpool solidify their return to domestic dominance. Prize Money Breakdown Adds Up to Major Backing According to The Mirror, Liverpool's £56.4 million windfall primarily stems from their Premier League finish. 'This amount is because every team will receive at least £2.8m, with each place above 20th earning a multiplier of the number. For example, our £56.4m is 20 times the amount that Southampton will get.' This simple formula underscores the significance of finishing top – and what that means in terms of financial return. Photo: IMAGO This figure does not yet include other performance-based revenues, such as those from televised matches and global broadcasting rights. Liverpool featured frequently on Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video, which significantly enhances the payout from TV revenue. Additionally, each Premier League club receives £8.2 million from central commercial streams, further boosting the total. Smart Spending After a Frugal Period Despite a massive midfield rebuild in 2023, Liverpool kept things relatively quiet in January 2024. Their only senior additions were Federico Chiesa for £12.5 million and Giorgi Mamardashvili for £30 million – with the Georgian goalkeeper loaned straight back to Valencia. Advertisement This financial discipline appears to have paid off. With consecutive years of Champions League qualification and a Carabao Cup win accompanying the league title, the Reds are in an 'extremely positive financial situation' per The Mirror. That puts Hughes and Slot in a powerful position this summer. Targets Already Identified The signs of movement are already visible. Liverpool are close to finalising a deal for Jeremie Frimpong, with The Mirror reporting that it's 'all-but confirmed.' Talks are also progressing with Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz – both of whom would significantly strengthen Liverpool's squad in areas that still need added depth. Photo: IMAGO In the words of The Mirror: 'The budget was already considered to be 'heavyweight'… there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic this summer, with more deals on the way.' Advertisement With Arne Slot's tactical clarity and a solid title-winning squad as a base, Liverpool's potential summer activity could transform them into European juggernauts once again. Financial Power to Match Ambition One potential caveat, The Mirror notes, is that 'operating costs might be paid using the funds.' However, the paper also makes it clear that there should be 'little doubt about the club's financial capabilities this summer.' In other words, this isn't Monopoly money – but it is real, meaningful capital that can support big signings. Slot's system is already thriving. With strategic reinforcements, particularly in defence and attack, the Reds could be preparing for a multi-trophy push in 2025–26. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis This is exactly what Liverpool fans were hoping for. After years of modest spending and narrowly missing out on titles, to finally win the Premier League again – and with a new manager no less – is nothing short of magical. Now, this reported £56 million bonus is the cherry on top. Advertisement Arne Slot has shown in his debut season that he understands the fabric of Liverpool. He hasn't just come in and tinkered – he's revitalised. To see names like Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez linked to the club? That's ambition. And more importantly, it feels achievable now. Supporters can be forgiven for dreaming a little bigger. A strong summer window could see Liverpool not just defend the Premier League title but seriously threaten in Europe once again. The club's careful financial planning is finally meeting its competitive goals, and that makes this summer a truly pivotal one. The message to the rest of the Premier League is clear – Liverpool are not done. They're just getting started.
