Inter Milan’s pursuit of Cesc Fabregas as a replacement for outgoing manager Simone Inzaghi hit a wall on Thursday after Como 1907 denied the Nerazzurri permission to speak with their head coach.
In a strongly worded statement, Como confirmed they had rejected Inter’s approach and considered the speculation surrounding Fabregas’ departure to be unfounded.
“We communicated our refusal directly to the president of Inter, who accepted it with the courtesy and clarity expected between clubs who hold a mutual respect,” read the club statement.
“For this reason, we are treating the persistent rumours of their interest in our coach as pure fantasy.”
The development comes in the wake of Inter’s 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on Tuesday, which led to Inzaghi’s departure. The 48-year-old has since joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Fabregas, 38, retired from professional football in 2023 and immediately joined Como’s technical staff before being appointed head coach in July. In his first season in charge, he guided the newly promoted club to a respectable 10th-place finish in Serie A, earning praise for the team’s attractive style of play.
Inter reportedly viewed Fabregas as their top candidate to usher in a new era, drawn by his modern tactical approach and high-profile pedigree from his playing days at Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea.
However, with Como standing firm, Italian media now suggest Cristian Chivu, the former Inter defender currently coaching Serie B side Parma, has emerged as the club’s next preferred option.
Fabregas, meanwhile, remains focused on building his project at Como, whose statement signals no intention of letting their coach go.
