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The glitz of Lake Como has a flourishing football project beside it

The glitz of Lake Como has a flourishing football project beside it

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The dizzying beauty of Lake Como makes it an irresistible holiday destination. Boats owned by George Clooney, stunning mountain scenery, clear blue waters and now? A top flight football team once more.

By Dharnish Iqbal

Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry, and Dennis Wise are some of the footballing figureheads involved in the project to transform the newly promoted Serie A club into a future powerhouse.

When asked what attracted Henry to the Italian club, the Frenchman and stakeholder said:

“Everything. The location. Where the club aspire to go. Everyone involved wants the club to be known as much as the lake. We must ensure we do not lose the community and family factor.”

Henry frequently mentions the local community of Como and keeping that unique spirit “Como is going to have to stay Como.” It’s something the former Arsenal striker has made a point of mentioning in every media interview when talking about the club. 

Besides its appeal to the rich and famous there is still a local feel to the town. Helping to keep this is a modest wage bill and leaning on players who have been at Como for the entire journey.

The strike partnership is formed of former-Wolves player Patrick Cutrone and long term Como player Alessandro Gabrielloni. Gabrielloni was seen crying on the bench as Como secured promotion, the striker has been with the club since they were in Serie D. 

Cutrone is a local lad and after moves to Wolves, Fiorentina, and Fulham didn’t work out, home came calling: “I would’ve only dropped down to Serie B for Como.” The sad passing of his father led the Milan academy graduate to go back home and he’s never been happier “It’s my city, my people. To play for them is an honour for me. I know everything about Como.”

A reboot helped by deep pockets but draped in local spirit

Como boast the richest owners in Italy. Bought by Djarum, a conglomerate group in Indonesia owned by the Hartono Brothers, who made their money through clove cigarettes, inheriting the business from their father. With  a combined estimated net worth of $48 billion, the brothers also bought a streaming sports platform: MOLA, which is now the sponsor adorning the team’s shirt.

Long-term plans are what attracted part-owner, first team coach, and all-but confirmed manager again as of next season, Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard played out the end of his career at the club and quickly moved into coaching the youth side. 

When manager Moreno Longo departed in November, Fabregas took over for seven games, before needing to complete his coaching badges and stepping down into an assistant manager role. 

On the recommendation of Henry, former Crystal Palace assistant manager, Osian Roberts took over and won promotion.

The Welshman has been the calm unsung hero of Como’s promotion and is highly thought of by Henry and a number of former pros who have worked under Roberts as an instructor on the UEFA coaching course.

Roberts is now set to move upstairs as his protége, Fabragas, takes over the reins in the dugout.

Fabregas has thrown himself into the role, it is clear it isn’t just another ‘pretty city’ for him to live in. He and Roberts have already set about switching Como’s tactics this season, moving to a more possession-based philosophy.

The location may be scenic and glamorous but the former Arsenal playmaker is aware of how seriously a prospect like Como should be taken.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Fabregas explained “This is a proper job. I hardly see my family” when speaking about the long hours of coaching.

The owners and staff, in tandem, are fully attempting to engage with the local community with a local brewery being launched, merchandise being sold nearby, and an initiative for match-going supporters with newborns to get free babygrows.

Games can be watched through ‘Como TV’ which airs in the UK and the US. It is a stunning location to develop a football club, but it feels like the figureheads involved are committed to combining investment and the creation of new facilities to build a sustainable club that Como can be proud of.

It isn’t just a project for the sake of owning a football club, there’s real fervour behind what Fabregas and Henry are doing.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every Serie A game live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The glitz of Lake Como has a flourishing football project beside it

The dizzying beauty of Lake Como makes it an irresistible holiday destination. Boats owned by George Clooney, stunning mountain scenery, clear blue waters and now? A top flight football team once more.

By Dharnish Iqbal

Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry, and Dennis Wise are some of the footballing figureheads involved in the project to transform the newly promoted Serie A club into a future powerhouse.

When asked what attracted Henry to the Italian club, the Frenchman and stakeholder said:

“Everything. The location. Where the club aspire to go. Everyone involved wants the club to be known as much as the lake. We must ensure we do not lose the community and family factor.”

Henry frequently mentions the local community of Como and keeping that unique spirit “Como is going to have to stay Como.” It’s something the former Arsenal striker has made a point of mentioning in every media interview when talking about the club. 

Besides its appeal to the rich and famous there is still a local feel to the town. Helping to keep this is a modest wage bill and leaning on players who have been at Como for the entire journey.

The strike partnership is formed of former-Wolves player Patrick Cutrone and long term Como player Alessandro Gabrielloni. Gabrielloni was seen crying on the bench as Como secured promotion, the striker has been with the club since they were in Serie D. 

Cutrone is a local lad and after moves to Wolves, Fiorentina, and Fulham didn’t work out, home came calling: “I would’ve only dropped down to Serie B for Como.” The sad passing of his father led the Milan academy graduate to go back home and he’s never been happier “It’s my city, my people. To play for them is an honour for me. I know everything about Como.”

A reboot helped by deep pockets but draped in local spirit

Como boast the richest owners in Italy. Bought by Djarum, a conglomerate group in Indonesia owned by the Hartono Brothers, who made their money through clove cigarettes, inheriting the business from their father. With  a combined estimated net worth of $48 billion, the brothers also bought a streaming sports platform: MOLA, which is now the sponsor adorning the team’s shirt.

Long-term plans are what attracted part-owner, first team coach, and all-but confirmed manager again as of next season, Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard played out the end of his career at the club and quickly moved into coaching the youth side. 

When manager Moreno Longo departed in November, Fabregas took over for seven games, before needing to complete his coaching badges and stepping down into an assistant manager role. 

On the recommendation of Henry, former Crystal Palace assistant manager, Osian Roberts took over and won promotion.

The Welshman has been the calm unsung hero of Como’s promotion and is highly thought of by Henry and a number of former pros who have worked under Roberts as an instructor on the UEFA coaching course.

Roberts is now set to move upstairs as his protége, Fabragas, takes over the reins in the dugout.

Fabregas has thrown himself into the role, it is clear it isn’t just another ‘pretty city’ for him to live in. He and Roberts have already set about switching Como’s tactics this season, moving to a more possession-based philosophy.

The location may be scenic and glamorous but the former Arsenal playmaker is aware of how seriously a prospect like Como should be taken.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Fabregas explained “This is a proper job. I hardly see my family” when speaking about the long hours of coaching.

The owners and staff, in tandem, are fully attempting to engage with the local community with a local brewery being launched, merchandise being sold nearby, and an initiative for match-going supporters with newborns to get free babygrows.

Games can be watched through ‘Como TV’ which airs in the UK and the US. It is a stunning location to develop a football club, but it feels like the figureheads involved are committed to combining investment and the creation of new facilities to build a sustainable club that Como can be proud of.

It isn’t just a project for the sake of owning a football club, there’s real fervour behind what Fabregas and Henry are doing.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every Serie A game live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.