Como president Mirwan Suwarso said Cesc Fabregas has exceeded all expectations at the club. Como have gone from Serie B to the Champions League in little more than two seasons, thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 on their debut in the competition, won 3-1 at Fiorentina on Sunday, and are due to host Manchester United on Wednesday.
Fabregas and the club's direction
Suwarso said: "Fabregas has exceeded all our expectations. That’s why people think we built the roof first, but we always tried to build the foundations first, because you need a broad vision and a direction. Cesc brought us that."
Suwarso said: "When he was with the Primavera, it was clear to everyone how incredibly intelligent he was. He had a clear vision, and I felt that vision should guide us in the first team too."
How Como operate
Football Italia said Suwarso spoke to Cronache di Spogliatoio, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.
Suwarso said: "We don’t consider ourselves revolutionaries, and we don’t think we’re doing anything different from anyone else. We’re simply doing things we’ve seen others do, perhaps in other countries or other sports. At the end of the day, it’s business and we have to be sustainable."
Suwarso said Fabregas writes reports for the club’s owners before matches.
Suwarso said: "I’m surprised it isn’t more widespread, because it’s quite normal in other companies and other sports. It means we’re all on the same wavelength and can judge results more objectively."
Long-term aims
Suwarso said: "We are Italian more than anything else, and our aim is to develop as many young talents as possible for the national team. Step by step, we will build a team made up entirely of Italians, ideally all from Lombardy if we manage it, just like Athletic Club."
Other figures at the club
Suwarso said of minority shareholder Thierry Henry: "Henry has played a fundamental role in our growth."
Suwarso said fellow minority shareholder Raphaël Varane has made an incredible contribution to the youth sector.