Fabregas appointed as Como head coach after promotion to Serie A

(Reuters) - Spaniard Cesc Fabregas has been appointed as head coach of Como, where he is a minority shareholder, after leading them to promotion to Serie A as assistant and interim coach last season, the club said on Friday.

Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas ended his playing career at Como in 2023 and became an assistant coach at the club. The 37-year-old took over as interim coach in November after head coach Moreno Longo was fired.

Como rose from seventh to third in Serie B under Fabregas before Osian Roberts was appointed as interim coach in December, with Fabregas remaining as his assistant. Como secured automatic promotion after finishing second in the league.

Roberts will now take over as Como's head of development, the club said in a statement.

"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. "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."

Como also announced their first signing under Fabregas on Friday, with former Liverpool, Sevilla and Villareal defender Alberto Moreno joining on a one-year contract with an option for an automatic extension for another season.

"Alberto is a fast, agile and technically gifted defender with great international experience, having played in top European competitions," Fabregas said. "His characteristics will certainly be useful to face a new and difficult championship."

Como begin their Serie A campaign at Juventus on Aug. 19.