Meet the Welsh caretaker who’s near taking Cesc Fabregas’ Como to Serie A
Lake Como isn’t a hotspot for football – the picturesque Italian lakes, where the Alps dip their toes, are one of the most Instagramable locations on the planet.
But when it comes to football, nada.
Como 1907 last graced the upper echelons of Calcio over two decades ago, but since then they’ve been cast into the Italian footballing wilderness. They were declared bankrupt, ceased to exist, fell as far as Serie D – but, right now, they stand on the verge of history.
READ MORE: Cesc Fabregas ends time as manager of Como just one month after becoming interim
READ MORE: Cesc Fabregas’ first game as manager ends in carnage with two red cards and huge brawl
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In 2019, the club had been acquired by the Djarum Group with ex-Chelsea and Millwall star Dennis Wise being appointed as president, while Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry came in as minority shareholders. Mads Mikkelsen was the latest A-lister to be snapped at the club.
Fabregas would even turn out for the squad as a player-manager. He explained: “I’m not looking for money here. I just wanted an exciting project. I chose Como for many reasons. I wanted an experience that could involve me and excite me.
What do you think of Como 1907 potentially playing in Serie A? Let us know in the comments section
(Image: Getty Images)
“Wise convinced me; he is someone who knows football. He told me about Como and I see a long future here I wanted this kind of adventure. It was easy to focus on this project.”
However, in December 2023, Fabregas was relieved of his duties as Como’s boss, where he was replaced by Welshman Osian Roberts. Roberts, who has been described as the most influential man in Welsh football, now stands on the cusp of Serie A promotion with the Italian side.
After an underwhelming playing career, Roberts moved into management in the 1990s – working with Welsh youth sides. In 2007, after he was appointed as Wales’ technical director, WalesOnline branded him as the ‘power behind our football throne’, and more influential than John Toshack.
He would work as an assistant manager for the Welsh side as they thrilled at Euro 2016 before he was brought into the Crystal Palace fold by Patrick Vieira.
When the Frenchman was sacked in 2023, Roberts was also let go – but he would soon swap cloudy London for the sunny Italian lakes. Roberts was named as Como’s caretaker boss in December, the third time in his career he’s had a management role at senior level.
“I have had a crash course in Italian football, but I’m engrossed in it and I’m loving every minute,” he told Como’s in-house media team.
(Image: Getty Images)
“It has been a breath of fresh air for me, the culture, the traditions and the history of Italian football and despite what some people at home keep telling us, there is a football world outside of the Premier League.”
Fabregas remains involved in the club as a stakeholder, while Roberts doubles up as head of development for the club.
Como beat Cittadella, themselves a provincial side who have almost reached Serie A in recent seasons, on Wednesday (May 1). Edoardo Goldaniga’s 94th-minute winner sent Roberts & Co into a frenzy as they moved three points clear of Venezia.
Parma have already secured promotion, and Como look set to join them as they need just one win in their remaining two games against Modena and Cosenza.
