Cesc Fabregas has been hailed for making one of football’s ‘best motivational speeches’ by fans after guiding Italian minnows Como into the Champions League.
Como thrashed (and relegated) Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese side 4-1 on Sunday to secure their place at Europe’s top table after just two seasons in Serie A.
Fabregas has been in charge of the ambitious club, who count Thierry Henry among their investors, for two years.
They have risen from the fourth tier to the Champions League in seven seasons – having nearly gone bankrupt a decade ago – but may be forced to play away from their beautiful lakeside Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia due to UEFA restrictions.
Fabregas gathered the squad around him after they finished fourth in Serie A and said in English: ‘I had a feeling. I always get my responses by feeling.
‘Guys, it’s all up to you. It’s all thanks to every one of you.
Cesc Fabregas was lifted into the air by his Como stars after they reached the Champions League
He has been hailed for his motivational speeches after leading the minnows to fourth in Serie A
‘We try to help you, we try to give you certain solutions – you are the reason this is so f****** beautiful.
‘I thank you for all my life, because this will probably be the best group I will ever coach. I have no doubt you will be remembered forever.
‘Enjoy a f****** good holiday, enjoy a big party. You deserve everything. All the best. And what are we playing next year?’
At this point, Como’s stars closed in on the 39-year-old and started to bounce around, chanting: ‘champions!’
Back in the dressing room, the former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea maestro added: ‘Congratulations, you truly had a season of champions.
‘I know that today we didn’t finish in the way that we perhaps we wanted. Tomorrow, training at 10 (joking).
‘But one thing I have to say before we go out there with all our fans: thank you, but be strong, because this year is nothing.
‘This is only the warm-up. Next year: more efficiency, more work.
‘And like how I promised and you guys wanted: do you want to go to Ibiza?’
At this juncture, he fired a fist pump into the air and the group burst into celebration.
This is the Spaniard’s first senior managerial job and he has taken to the role like a duck to water, winning almost half of his games.
He has been linked with high-profile jobs including the hot seat at Chelsea before Xabi Alonso was appointed.
