News Focus
- Como chief admits Champions League qualification ‘surprised even us’ after rapid rise from Serie C
- Cesc Fabregas faces uncertain future despite masterminding the club’s incredible ascent
- Real Madrid hold buy-back clause for Argentine midfielder Nico Paz
- Indonesian owners transformed the club from third-tier obscurity within just two years
- Fabregas helped design training facilities and brought investment from former teammates
Como president Mirwan Suwarso has confessed that securing a place in Europe’s premier club competition shocked everyone at the Italian outfit. The Indonesian businessman revealed that nobody inside the club expected such a rapid ascent when his family took control.
Just two seasons ago, the Lariani were competing in Serie C. Following their promotion from Serie B, they have stormed to fourth place in Serie A. This remarkable achievement guarantees them football at the highest continental level next term.
“This success belongs to every single person who contributed to the journey,” Suwarso stated. He praised the collective effort that transformed the club from lower-league obscurity to European contenders.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has played a central role in this fairytale. The Spaniard initially joined as a player before stepping into the dugout as manager, even though he lacked the required coaching qualifications at that time. His influence extended beyond the pitch—he assisted architects in planning the training facilities and attracted financial backing from his former colleagues.
Suwarso highlighted the impact of having champions like Fabregas, Thierry Henry, and Raphael Varane associated with the project. “These winners introduced a mentality of success throughout our organisation,” he explained. “Our belief system makes anything feel achievable. This positive energy spreads through the entire club.”
Despite Fabregas’s importance, speculation links him with moves to bigger clubs. Suwarso accepts that they cannot prevent the coach from leaving if he wishes to pursue fresh challenges elsewhere.
“Cesc alone determines what happens next,” the president admitted. “Nobody can predict their own path. The decision rests entirely with him.”
Regarding Nico Paz, the on-loan Argentine midfielder faces an uncertain future. Real Madrid retain the option to bring him back to the Bernabeu, leaving Como powerless over the situation.
“Only Real Madrid can decide his fate,” Suwarso confirmed. “We possess his registration, but everyone understands the buy-back agreement exists.”
The chief remained optimistic about the arrangement, noting that Madrid’s willingness to send Paz to Como represented a major coup for the club. “Two years ago, we could never have imagined signing a player of Nico’s calibre. Madrid’s generosity in loaning him to us—and paying us for the privilege—works perfectly for our model,” he concluded.