Cesc Fabregas has swiftly established himself as one of football's most compelling young coaches, guiding Como from the lower reaches of Italian football to the UEFA Champions League in a rise that has captured the attention of the European game.

BBC Sport travelled to Como to explore the vision driving the club's transformation — and the philosophy Fabregas has instilled since taking charge. What has emerged is a portrait of a coach who is applying the lessons of an elite playing career at clubs including Barcelona, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain to his work in the dugout.

A philosophy built on identity

Fabregas has spoken openly about wanting Como to play with a clear, recognisable identity — a high-tempo, possession-based style that reflects his own formation as a player under some of Europe's most celebrated managers.

The former midfielder spent years absorbing tactical ideas at the highest level, and those experiences appear to be shaping a coaching approach that is already turning heads across Serie A and beyond.

Como's remarkable journey

Como's ascent has been one of Italian football's standout stories in recent seasons. The club, which spent years outside the top flight, has climbed steadily under Fabregas's guidance and now finds itself competing at European football's highest stage.

The progression into the UEFA Champions League represents a landmark moment — not only for Como but for Fabregas himself, still in the early stages of what many observers believe could be a long and distinguished managerial career.

An eye on the future

BBC Sport's visit to the club painted a picture of an ambitious project backed by significant investment and a clear long-term vision. Fabregas appears deeply engaged in every aspect of the club's development — from first-team tactics to the broader identity Como is working to project both in Italy and across Europe.

Whether he can sustain this momentum at the highest level remains the central question, but early evidence suggests Fabregas is meeting the challenge with the same intelligence that defined his playing days.