Fabregas Dismisses Como Exit Talk: ‘If I Start Thinking About Leaving, It Could Be the End for Me Here’

FolioPitch.com – 23 October 2026 | Cesc Fabregas has moved to shut down any suggestion that he could soon depart Como, declaring that Fabregas If I start thinking about leaving Como it could be the end for me here — a sentiment he insists has never crossed his mind despite persistent links to some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Serie A meeting with Alberto Aquilani‘s Sassuolo, the Spaniard addressed speculation about his future with characteristic calm, three days after his side produced a stunning 4-1 Champions League victory over Manchester United.

The timing of the questions was telling. Como president Mirwan Suwarso had recently spoken in glowing terms about Aquilani, fuelling suggestions that the Sassuolo coach could one day be groomed as Fabregas’s successor at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium. But the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder was unequivocal when asked whether he had ever considered walking away. “I’ve never thought about leaving,” Fabregas said. “If I started thinking about it, maybe that would be the end for me here, but I’ve never done it.”

Aquilani Admiration Does Not Signal an Exit

Far from feeling threatened by the president’s praise for Aquilani, Fabregas welcomed it, describing the Sassuolo boss as one of the most exciting young coaches in Italian football. The two men first crossed paths in Serie B when Aquilani was in charge of Pisa, and their mutual respect has only grown since. “I really like Alberto as a coach, for his ideas and his courage, and for how his teams play football,” Fabregas explained. “His football is very similar in terms of ideas. You’re making me think about it now, but I’m very relaxed about his career and what he’ll go on to do.”

The Como manager also recalled a personal anecdote that underlined the trust between the two coaches. “He called me last summer because he really wanted Rispoli at Catanzaro,” Fabregas said. “Rispoli was the first player I ever had as a coach, so sending him to Alberto gave me complete peace of mind.” That willingness to do business speaks volumes about the professional relationship, even as the Italian media continue to wonder whether Aquilani might eventually replace the Spaniard in Lombardy.

Fabregas has been linked with several top jobs since leading Como to promotion and into the Champions League, including Inter and Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, but he has stayed put. His commitment remains absolute, and the phrase Fabregas If I start thinking about leaving Como it could be the end for me here has become something of a mantra for a coach determined to see through the project he has built from the ground up.

Nico Paz: The Untouchable Talent

Part of the reason for Fabregas’s contentment is the quality of the squad at his disposal, and no player embodies that better than Nico Paz. The Argentine playmaker has been a revelation since arriving at Como, and his manager explained why he is virtually never left out of the starting line-up. “You have to know the person and what kind of lad he is. Nico isn’t someone who needs to be helped along. The less you talk to him, the better. He has an incredible mentality,” Fabregas said.

“We’ve been together for more than two years and he has grown enormously. He might even be among the team’s top three defenders. That mentality makes the difference before he even competes, and that’s why I never take him out.” Such praise from a midfielder of Fabregas’s pedigree carries significant weight, and it is clear that Paz’s development is central to Como’s long-term ambitions.

Injury Concerns Ahead of Sassuolo Clash

Como will be without Assane Diao and Moise Kean for Saturday’s match, while Martin Liberali is also unlikely to feature due to a minor problem. Fabregas revealed that Kean could return on Tuesday but stopped short of guaranteeing it, adding another layer of complexity to a busy fixture schedule that includes domestic and European commitments.

Despite those absences, the mood in the Como camp remains buoyant after the midweek demolition of Manchester United. Fabregas’s side have confounded expectations by thriving on the Champions League stage, and the coach’s refusal to entertain thoughts of leaving is a major factor in the club’s stability. When he repeats that Fabregas If I start thinking about leaving Como it could be the end for me here, it is not a throwaway line but a statement of intent.

A Project Built on Loyalty and Vision

Fabregas’s journey at Como has been remarkable. He took over a club with modest ambitions and has transformed it into a Serie A force and a Champions League participant. The lure of Inter or Leverkusen might have tempted others, but Fabregas has consistently chosen to stay and build. His comments about Aquilani, far from hinting at a succession plan, actually reinforce the idea that he is thinking only about the present — and about how to keep improving a team that has already exceeded all reasonable expectations.

The Spanish coach’s philosophy is rooted in possession, courage and trust in young players, values that align closely with those of Aquilani. It is perhaps why the two get on so well, and why Fabregas can speak so generously about a rival without feeling any insecurity. “I can certainly say positive things about him,” he added, before reiterating that his own focus remains squarely on Como.

Conclusion

In an era of constant managerial turnover, Cesc Fabregas stands out as a coach who values stability and loyalty. His unequivocal response to questions about his future — that Fabregas If I start thinking about leaving Como it could be the end for me here — should reassure Como supporters that their manager is fully invested in the project. With a talented squad, a clear playing identity and a Champions League scalp already on the board this season, there is every reason to believe the best is yet to come. For now, Fabregas is exactly where he wants to be.