Liam Kerrigan with new Como boss as Cesc Fabregas handed interim reins

Former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has taken interim charge of Serie B side Como following the departure of head coach Moreno Longo.

Fabregas, who played at club level for Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, has stepped up from his role as the Italian outfit's under-19 coach.

The 36-year-old finished his playing career with Como last season alongside former Sligo Rovers and UCD midfielder Liam Kerrigan, and will now take his first senior role in management.

Como currently occupy sixth place in the table, eight points adrift of leaders Parma, with Kerrigan an unused substitute in the weekend's 1-0 victory away to Ascoli.

Having made the surprise move to Italy from UCD in the summer of 2022, the 23-year-old made a bright start before suffering an ACL injury that September.

His appearance off the bench in a 1-0 Italian Cup loss away to Lecce in August marked almost a year out of the game, and has gone on to appear in half a dozen of Como’s 13 league appearances to date off the bench.

Mirwan Suwarso, representative of the Como ownership group, said on the club's X account: "We thank Moreno Longo for all his hard work and dedication, especially after coming in following a difficult period last season.

"However, we would like to embark on a new path that hopefully will provide more excitement and entertainment for the fans in Como and beyond.

"We hope to make a new appointment for the head coach position in the near future. We thank the fans for understanding and their unwavering loyalty and support. As always, Forza Como."