Como boss Cesc Fabregas reveals José Mourinho has told him: ‘You are not a real coach until you get sacked’ and insists he didn’t expect to replace Moreno Longo.
Fabregas will make his debut as Como’s head coach on Saturday in a home Serie B game against FeralpiSalò.
The former Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona star replaced Longo last week and it was a surprising decision from the club’s owners given that Fabregas’ predecessor had won six games from 12, earning 21 points and leaving the club sixth in the table, six points below second-placed Venezia.
“First of all, I want to thank Longo for what he did here, especially last season when we were struggling,” Fabregas said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“One day, it will happen to me as well, it’s normal in this job. That’s what Mourinho told me: ‘You are not a real coach until you get sacked.’
Fabregas scored six goals in 69 games at Chelsea under the Special One. The former midfielder, who also played for Arsenal and Barcelona, ended his playing career at Como last season and started the 2023-24 campaign as the head coach of their U19 squad. Now, he’s been promoted to the senior team.
On paper, he will remain in charge as a caretaker coach for a limited period of time, but it appears likely that he will keep his role until the end of the season.
“I’ve found a group of available players who have been working well,” he said.
“The team is strong and capable of facing this change. Many players are also friends of mine because I used to play with them. I am really positive.”
Has he decided on his first line-up already?
“I can only say one thing…I won’t play,” he said smiling.
“Longo and I have different ideas and something will change, but if Como are a strong side it’s his merit. The fans want a team that attacks and wins, so we must become protagonists with the ball.
“Catanzaro come from Serie C, but play the best football in Serie B. I watch many videos with my staff members. I believe in entertaining football. Playing with our heads held high and giving emotions to the fans.”
The Spaniard said he didn’t expect to replace Longo who had collected seven points in his last three games in charge of Como.
“No [I didn’t expect it]. They called me on Sunday at 15.11 for the announcement. I knew nothing. They want Serie A promotion and we’ll try to achieve it.”