Manchester City are reportedly among the leading European clubs keeping tabs on the future of Como head coach Cesc Fabregas.
The Citizens currently have Catalan mastermind Pep Guardiola at the helm and he has won 18 trophies during his near nine-year reign at the Etihad Stadium, winning 70.7% of his 515 games in charge.
To the surprise of some, Guardiola extended his contract at Man City in November last year, keeping the 54-year-old in charge of the reigning Premier League champions until the summer of 2027.
However, speculation over Guardiola's long-term future as Citizens manager has been rife at a time when the club have experienced a turbulent 2024-25 campaign and face the prospect of ending this season trophyless.
Aware that Guardiola will not stick around at the Etihad forever, Man City chiefs are understood to be eyeing up potential long-term successors to the Catalan, who is likely to oversee a major overhaul of his squad in the summer transfer window.
© Imago
Man City, Barca among clubs keeping tabs on Fabregas
The likes of Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso, Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany - a Man City legend - and Girona's Michel have all been linked with the Etihad hotseat, but a new name has since emerged.
According to Italian news outlet Il Messaggero, Man City are one of several top European clubs who are monitoring the progress of Fabregas along with Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
The 37-year-old Spaniard enjoyed an illustrious 20-year playing career which began at Arsenal, before representing Barcelona, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, where he eventually hung up his boots in 2023.
Fabregas immediately stepped into coaching after announcing his retirement and was initially placed in charge of Como's Under-19 and B-teams after obtaining his UEFA A coaching licence.
© Imago
Fabregas impact as Como boss noticed by Europe's elite
The 2010 World Cup winner then worked as an assistant coach for Como's senior team under Osian Roberts and celebrated Serie B promotion last season, before being formally appointed as head coach in July last year.
Fabregas has since made a strong impression in charge of the Italian outfit, who are enjoying their first top-flight campaign for 21 years and have put themselves in a decent position to avoid relegation, as they sit 13th in the table and six points clear of the drop zone.
Como have been able to attract the likes of Pepe Reina, Sergi Roberto, Dele Alli, Nico Paz, Assane Diao and Andrea Belotti to the club thanks to Fabregas, whose successful stint in charge has seemingly not gone unnoticed around Europe.
Fabregas signed a four-year contract when he became Como boss and it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to join a top European club at this stage of his fledgling coaching career.
Oliver Thomas
