Cesc Fabregas decides on surprise new job as mega-money Saudi deal agreed
Cesc Fabregas is wanted by Inter Milan to replace former boss Simone Inzaghi, after he agreed a lucrative proposal to become Al-Hilal 's new manager. But the ex- Arsenal man insists he has no intention of leaving Como.
Inzaghi, 49, was being heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the build-up to last weekend's Champions League final and left his role with Inter just three days after they were thrashed 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in Munich.
The Italian penned an open letter to fans after the decision was announced, saying: "The time has come for me to say goodbye to this club after a four-year journey, during which I gave everything.
"I want to dedicate one last word to the millions of Nerazzurri fans who cheered me on, cried and suffered in difficult moments and laughed and celebrated in the six triumphs we experienced together. I will never forget you."
Inzaghi has agreed terms with Al-Hilal to head to the Saudi Pro League - and Inter want Fabregas to replace him at the San Siro.
Fabregas, 38, is currently the head coach of Inter's Serie A rivals, Como, and was recently the subject of interest from Bayer Leverkusen in their search for a successor to Xabi Alonso. Fabregas decided to stay put, however, Sky Sport Italia claimed on Wednesday that Fabregas is 'tempted' by the idea of taking over at Inter and was set to hold further talks with the Champions League finalists.
The Spaniard however declared on Wednesday afternoon: "I really believe in Como's long-term project, I arrived here as a player and I'm very, very happy because I can work here the way I want."
A deal to lure Fabregas away is also complicated by the fact he is also a shareholder in the club where he ended his playing career.
Fabregas has garnered a reputation as one of Europe's most exciting young coaches during his time at the helm, where he has navigated Como to the safe haven of mid-table following promotion from Serie B.
"Our path is long, it will last for several seasons and it revolves around Cesc Fabregas, who will not leave the club," Como president Mirwan Suwarso said, speaking alongside Fabregas on stage at the South By Southwest conference in London.
Former Inter youth team coach, Cristian Chivu, is another contender to replace Inzaghi and will now come into the club's thinking. The situation is further complicated by the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup with Inter - and Al-Hilal - both set to compete in the 32-team tournament which will take place in the United States.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
37 minutes ago
- The National
Celtic hero Chris Sutton in Rangers 'walking away' dig
Some supporters headed for the Ibrox exits after just 20 minutes as the Belgian giants raced into a 3-0 lead in the first leg of their Champions League play-off. Romeo Vermant, Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele got the goals to stun Ibrox into a chorus of loud boos on the 19th minute. Amazon Prime cameras showed a section of the home support leave the stadium, with some clearly fed up with what they were seeing from Russell Martin's men. And Celtic hero Sutton couldn't help by aim a dig at Rangers in the situation. He wrote on X: "I thought Rangers fans don't do walking away… 20 minutes in and many have given up already…" With the tie all-but over, Rangers' chance at £40m and a place in the league phase of the Champions League seems dead and buried, with the return leg in Brugge next midweek.
The Herald Scotland
42 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Rangers fans LEAVE Ibrox after 20 minutes vs Club Brugge
Romeo Vermant, Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele struck to inflict the first-half mauling at Ibrox, as loud boos rang around the stadium. Amazon Prime commentator Jon Champion picked up on the fact that there were several fans who headed for the exits when the stunning third goal flew beyond Jack Butland into the net. Read more: And co-commentator Neil McCann couldn't blame the supporters for vacating their seats after the disastrous start for Martin's side. With the tie all-but over, Rangers' chance at £40m and a place in the league phase of the Champions League seems dead and buried, with the return leg in Brugge next midweek. More to follow.
The Herald Scotland
42 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Mohamed Salah and Mariona Caldentey named PFA players of year
Salah's stunning form in 2024/25 saw him dominate the voting by the PFA's membership and enter the history books as the first three-time Player of the Year winner. Salah celebrates with the Premier League trophy (Peter Byrne/PA) The PFA crown complements the record-equalling third Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award picked up earlier in the year. PFA Women's Player of the Year Caldentey, 29, moved to Arsenal last summer and scored 19 goals in all competitions, including eight on the Gunners' way to lifting the Champions League with a victory in the final against her former club Barcelona. Olivia Smith recently joined Caldentey at Arsenal in a world-record deal and has been named PFA Women's Young Player of the Year following her superb season at Liverpool. Morgan Rogers has scooped the PFA Men's Young Player of the Year award following a brilliant campaign that saw the Aston Villa attacking midfielder make his England breakthrough. Caldentey scored 19 goals in all competitions last season for Arsenal (John Walton/PA) Salah is joined in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League Team of the Year by Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Milos Kerkez, who moved to Anfield from Bournemouth in the summer, is also selected, as are the Arsenal trio of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice. Matz Sels and Chris Wood are recognised for their fine campaigns at Nottingham Forest, while unsettled striker Alexander Isak has been included in recognition of his excellent form at Newcastle last term. Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes missed out on the XI despite being shortlisted for the Player of the Year award. The PFA Women's Super League Team of the Year side includes two players from champions Chelsea, Erin Cuthbert and Millie Bright. James Trafford has become the first goalkeeper to be named Championship Player of the Year (Bradley Collyer/PA) Caldentey, Alessia Russo, Emily Fox and Kim Little are selected, as are Manchester City pair Yui Hasegawa and Mary Fowler and the Manchester United trio of Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Maya Le Tissier and Jayde Riviere. James Trafford, now of Manchester City, has become the first goalkeeper to be named Championship Player of the Year following his brilliant performances between the sticks during Burnley's promotion campaign. Richard Kone's 21-goal haul for Wycombe in his first full season at professional level saw the 22-year-old, who last week signed for QPR, named League One Player of the Year. Bromley striker Michael Cheek's impressive first season in the EFL, in which he scored 25 league goals for the promoted side, saw him awarded the League Two Player of the Year trophy.
