Cesc Fàbregas, the chosen one

Cesc Fàbregas is the leading candidate to replace Hansi Flick when the German eventually brings his Barcelona tenure to an end. According to the Catalunya Ràdio podcast Barça Reservat, the Como 1907 coach has the full backing of the club’s Sporting Commission, led by Deco, to succeed Flick.

So much so that the club has already made contact with the former Barça midfielder to ensure he would be open to a move from 2028 onwards, when Flick’s current contract is due to expire. The German does have the option of extending his stay by an additional year if certain objectives are met. In any case, Barcelona’s proposal to Fàbregas is that any future agreement should include a clause allowing him to leave for the Catalan club.

Barcelona’s interest is so serious that, as AS has learned, the club even sent a representative to Como several months ago to finalise the groundwork for a future deal. That person was Alejandro Echevarría, Joan Laporta’s and Deco’s trusted confidant, who was tasked with effectively “reserving” Fàbregas from 2028 onwards.

It is worth remembering that Fàbregas’s work at modest Como 1907 has impressed many observers. He has overseen an outstanding rise for a side that was only recently promoted, guiding them to Champions League qualification this season.

One name that appears to be out of the running is Luis Enrique, despite his remarkable campaign at PSG, where he successfully retained the Champions League title. Aside from the enormous salary he earns in Paris, which Barcelona would be unable to match, the main obstacle to a return would be his distinctive approach to dressing-room management. Luis Enrique prefers to operate without external influence and keeps the squad under a tightly controlled structure.

In that scenario, Alejandro Echevarría’s current role around the first team would be significantly affected, as he would be expected to step away from the dressing room. Luis Enrique only works with people from his own trusted circle. Such a situation is not currently under consideration, however, as Laporta’s former brother-in-law is viewed as a key figure in the club’s internal dressing-room management.

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