LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Cesc Fabregas takes part in Enterprise Rent-A-Player at Westway Sports Centre on April 22, 2024 in London, England. Enterprise Rent-A-Player, a competition offering five-a-side football teams across Europe the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a European legend join their squad for one night only. The star-studded Enterprise 'Rent-A-Player' line-up is formed of legends Cesc Fabregas, Radamel Falcao and Fabien Barthez. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images for Enterprise Rent-A-Car Rent-A-Player UEFA Europa League Campaign)

Arsenal legend sacked as another is appointed

Former Arsenal teammates Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas experience contrasting fortunes in their managerial careers.

Jul 22, 2024

Arsenal legends face differing paths in managerial careers: Vieira exits Strasbourg, Fabregas takes helm at Como

LONDON - FEBRUARY 1: Patrick Vieira and Francesc Fabregas of Arsenal look dejected as Manchester win 2-4 in the Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Highbury on February 1, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images) — LONDON – FEBRUARY 1: Patrick Vieira and Francesc Fabregas of Arsenal look dejected as Manchester win 2-4 in the Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Highbury on February 1, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)

The managerial careers of two Arsenal legends, Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas, have taken drastically different turns this week.

Vieira, after a single season at the helm of Strasbourg, has stepped down/been removed from his position, while Fabregas has officially been appointed as head coach of Serie A newcomers Como.

Strasbourg's French head coach Patrick Vieira (R) reacts next to Strasbourg's French defender #29 Ismael Doukoure (L) and Strasbourg's Malian midfielder #19 Habib Diarra (C) during the French L1 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and FC Metz at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on May 12, 2024. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images) — Strasbourg’s French head coach Patrick Vieira (R) reacts next to Strasbourg’s French defender #29 Ismael Doukoure (L) and Strasbourg’s Malian midfielder #19 Habib Diarra (C) during the French L1 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and FC Metz at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on May 12, 2024. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)

Vieira’s departure from Strasbourg, owned by Chelsea’s BlueCo consortium, mirrors the abrupt exit of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea after just one year. Both managers were tasked with nurturing young talent and fostering a multi-club model, but ultimately their tenures were short-lived.

Vieira’s next move remains uncertain, but he has been linked with the vacant managerial position for the United States national team.

COMO, ITALY - MAY 10: Cesc Fabregas of Como Calcio looks during the match beteween Como Calcio and Cosenza Calcio serie B at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on May 10, 2024 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images) — COMO, ITALY – MAY 10: Cesc Fabregas of Como Calcio looks during the match beteween Como Calcio and Cosenza Calcio serie B at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on May 10, 2024 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Fabregas has embraced a new challenge at Como, where he played a crucial role in their promotion to Serie A last season. Transitioning from player to assistant manager and now head coach, the Spaniard has signed a four-year contract and expressed his ambition to build upon the club’s recent success.

“I am so happy to be starting this season as head coach and I thank the ownership group for trusting me with this position,” Fabregas said. “I share the ambitions of the group and believe this is just the start of where this club can go. It’s going to be a tough and important season but myself and the rest of the coaching staff are ready and we all believe.”