After scaling the pinnacle of the football world as a top-tier player, Cesc Fabregas finds himself at the dawn of a new career as he steps into the realm of football coaching.

Armed with his conversations with Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, Fabregas embarks on a coaching journey in Italy, aiming to replicate his playing success in the dugout.

• Cesc Fabregas embarks on coaching career, motivated by interactions with Arsenal figures like Mikel Arteta.
• Fabregas takes charge of Como’s Under-19 team, citing his desire to influence youth development akin to Arsenal’s current focus.
• Fabregas aims to emulate his player success in coaching, as he gains immediate praise with a 3-1 win over Inter’s youth side.

A New Role Beckons

In his mid-30s, Fabregas has traded in his football boots for tactical boards.

Speaking at Milan’s Konami Youth Development Centre — the training ground for Inter’s youth teams — the Spanish midfielder seems eager for the challenges ahead.

Fabregas is now overseeing Como Primavera, an Under-19 squad in Italy’s secondary youth football tier.

Life Beyond the Pitch

“It’s not just about tactics, but about man-management, as well,” Fabregas emphasised.

“Unlike playing, coaching is a round-the-clock commitment, involving everything from phone calls to video conferences.”

The Arsenal Connection

Fabregas’ coaching approach appears to be a melange of various influences, not least from his times under Arsène Wenger at Arsenal, and subsequently Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola.

He particularly drew from his recent interactions with Mikel Arteta and Edu, Arsenal’s current manager and sporting director. “We have a shared vision. Both Arsenal and Como are focusing on youth development,” he noted.

The Learning Curve

Having skipped the youth ranks to join Arsenal’s senior team as a teenager, Fabregas said he enjoys guiding young players through the 16 to 18 age range — a crucial developmental stage he himself had missed.

“It’s really rewarding to work with these young talents,” he said. “We are trying to establish a new era, similar to what Arteta and Edu are doing at Arsenal.”

In the Footsteps of Greats

Fabregas describes his years spent under legendary managers as “treasure troves of tactical nuggets.”

As he assumes his new role, support pours in from former mentors and teammates. His aim? To climb to the summit of football management, just as he did as a player.

Looking Ahead

As Fabregas takes his first steps as a coach, his Como side recently vanquished Inter’s youth team with a solid 3-1 win.

It seems he’s on a promising track, with many suggesting that this could be the start of another illustrious chapter in his football story.