Cesc Fabregas refuses to rule out top job amid Chelsea links

Cesc Fabregas has risked the wrath of Barcelona fans after refusing to rule out the possibility of managing bitter rivals Real Madrid in the future.

Fabregas has won himself admirers across the game with the outstanding job he is doing in charge of Como, having led the side to promotion from the Italian second tier in the summer of 2024.

Como finished ninth on their return to Serie A last season – their best finish since 1987 – and the extraordinary rise has continued this term, with Fabregas steering the club to European qualification for the first time ever at the weekend.

A tight 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona ensured a place in next year’s Europa Conference League is now guaranteed, but the Champions League remains in sight with two league matches to play for Como.

Roma and AC Milan both sit just two points above sixth-placed Como at this crucial stage of the season, knowing slip-ups in their remaining fixtures could give Fabregas’ men an opportunity to leapfrog them in the table.

Fabregas’ extraordinary exploits in only his second full season as a permanent manager have naturally begun to attract the attentions of some of the biggest names in world football, with Barcelona and managerless Chelsea among those linked.

The 2010 World Cup winner has been keen to distance himself from these rumours, determined to concentrate on the here and now while seeing out a successful end to the campaign in Lombardy.

However, during a wide-ranging interview with Cadena COPE, Fabregas lifted the lid on his mindset regarding possible jobs in the future – even suggesting he would be prepared to take charge at the Bernabeu.

This is despite the fact the 39-year-old rose through Barcelona’s La Masia academy ranks as a youngster, before returning to the Camp Nou in 2011 to help his boyhood side win six pieces of silverware.

‘Do you have any red lines? If Real Madrid called you one day… could you be the Real Madrid coach?’ Fabregas was asked by presenter Juanma Castano, to which he replied: ‘I don’t have a red line. 

‘One red line, and I’ve been very clear about this from the beginning, is that I wouldn’t want to be an assistant, for example.

‘I’m clear that I want to be a head coach.

‘The other thing [the possibility of Real Madrid]? I haven’t even thought about it or considered it. I haven’t had time for anything.’

It’s clear Fabregas has no immediate plans to up sticks and remains fully committed to Como, where he became both a shareholder and part-owner when initially joining the club as a player in 2022.

‘I saw a project, I saw an opportunity, not only to finish playing football, but to start doing what I was already beginning to love more than playing, which was coaching,’ he explained.

‘I’m the one who makes the signings, I am a shareholder of the club.’

The ex-Spain international went on: ‘I saw a project to start coaching, I have a contract and I am very calm.

‘I am in a place that helps me grow and I am very happy.’

Fabregas named Arsene Wenger as the manager who had made the biggest impact on his career, telling the Spanish radio station: ‘He believed in me, giving me the opportunity and the confidence.’

Speaking exclusively to Metro last week, Glen Johnson encouraged Chelsea to pursue a possible move for Fabregas, with the search ongoing for Liam Rosenior’s successor at Stamford Bridge.

‘Chelsea have had both [types of manager],’ the ex-Chelsea, Liverpool and England full-back said.

‘An experienced manager who won everything? They sacked them. Young, promising managers? Sacked them too.

‘I don’t think it is a specific profile they are after, they only care about winning. Whoever it is needs time to turn it around and win.

‘Both Andoni Iraola and Cesc Fabregas have credentials, having Premier League experience as a manager is huge whereas Cesc knows the club a lot better and as a former player, would definitely get the players’ respect.

‘I just want them to give someone 18 months, let the dust settle and let them play the way they want to play.’

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