Cesc Fabregas has been named the Serie A Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season, collecting the top individual honour at the Gran Gala del Calcio AIC — Italian football's premier annual ceremony.

The accolade is a formal recognition of the extraordinary tactical transformation Fabregas has overseen at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia since taking charge of Como.

From Serie B to the Champions League

Fabregas' journey with Como began at the end of his playing career, when he featured for the club in Serie B before retiring in the summer of 2023. He stepped in as interim manager and guided Como to promotion, earning a full-time appointment as head coach ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

In their first season back in the top flight, Como finished 10th — a solid platform that Fabregas used to build something far more ambitious. Last season, the Lombardy club shattered expectations with a fourth-place finish, securing historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history.

That achievement overturned the established hierarchy of Italian football and announced Como as a genuine contender under Fabregas' leadership.

Nico Paz: the creative engine

A defining feature of the Fabregas era has been the development of young talent, most notably Nico Paz. The playmaker thrived under Fabregas' system last season, appearing in 40 matches across all competitions, contributing 13 goals and eight assists.

Paz's breakout campaign became the creative heartbeat of a Como side punching well above its weight in Serie A.

A confident start to the new campaign

Como have carried their momentum into the new Serie A season. They opened with a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Udinese before stunning Napoli with a 2-1 victory — a result that reinforced their standing among Italy's elite.

Champions League adventure awaits

The crowning achievement of this remarkable project is Como's debut in the UEFA Champions League, where they will contest an eight-match league phase. The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia will host Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Leipzig, and AEK Athens, while Como travel to face Barcelona, Real Betis, Feyenoord, and Lens.

For a club that was competing in the Italian second tier just two years ago, Fabregas has turned Como into one of European football's most compelling stories.