Highly-Rated Manager Has Chelsea Release Clause In His Contract If Blues Decide To Replace Xabi Alonso | OneFootball

Cesc Fabregas has a release clause in his contract with Como that would allow him to join his former clubs, including Chelsea, in the future, according to reports.

Fabregas has earned plaudits for his remarkable debut spell as a head coach at Serie A side Como, entering the conversation of elite managers in modern football.

He started his journey as a coach for Como Under-19s following his retirement as a player back in July 2023. He took on the role of interim head coach for the first team just months later, in November, following the dismissal of Moreno Longo, and led them to a top-division promotion after finishing second in Serie B.

The former Spain international was unsurprisingly appointed as a permanent head coach on a four-year contract with the club that summer in 2024.

He led Como to their then-highest-ever finish of 10th in Serie A in 2024/25, before clinching a fourth-place finish last season, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Such an incredible journey for such a young manager at 39.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Fabregas has already attracted interest from several clubs recently, but the Spaniard has turned them down in favour of potentially bigger jobs in the future.

Among the clubs mentioned are his former clubs as a player: Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea.

Neither are in the market for a new head coach - Hansi Flick and Mikel Arteta’s positions are secured at Barcelona and Arsenal, respectively, while Chelsea just appointed Xabi Alonso in the summer - but Fabregas expects these types of jobs would eventually arrive.

“He’s like a calculator. He knows he’ll end up managing one of those top clubs,” Di Marzio told Betarades when speaking about Fabregas’ plans for the future.

Obviously, Como has no reason to agree to let Fabregas, who remains under contract with the club until the summer of 2028, leave after the success he has delivered in such a short period.

However, Fabregas has a clause in his deal with Como that specifically mentions his three former clubs.

“He’s got a release clause for top clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona, so it depends on which of those clubs starts to struggle,” Di Marzio explained.

“Everything can change. I think the problem for Como will be finding a new Fabregas - a new manager with his charisma, his leadership, his ideas, and his vision.”

Will Chelsea make a move for Fabregas?

Given the manager turnover rate at Chelsea, it is hard to dismiss such a possibility.

Alonso signed a four-year contract as Chelsea manager, tying him to the club until the summer of 2030, and despite the relatively inconsistent start to his career at Stamford Bridge, it is quite apparent that the club backs him to lead the team long-term.

However, Liam Rosenior signed a six-and-a-half-year deal when he succeeded Enzo Maresca in the second half of last season, but he lasted only 106 days before his dismissal after a disappointing end to the campaign.

If Chelsea were to make the decision to replace Alonso, Fabregas would likely be an interesting and attractive option, and his release clause would make him even more so.