‘Xhaka will be waiting!’ – Arsenal’s next manager determined with Cesc Fabregas to begin first step
It has been reported that Cesc Fabregas, the former captain of Arsenal, is planning to retire from playing professional football and transition into a career in management.
Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez has claimed that the 35-year-old, who currently plays for Cosmo in Serie B, is inspired by successful managers such as Pep Guardiola and his former teammate Xavi, and is keen to follow in their footsteps.
Fabregas has previously expressed his interest in pursuing a career in management, having played under esteemed coaches such as Arsene Wenger, Antonio Conte, and Jose Mourinho. This news is not surprising given his previous statements on the matter.
“It’s something that’s been inside me for a long time, it’s something I’d like to try,” he told talkSPORT in July 2021.
“People tell me I’m crazy because after a long career and so much pressure, going into management is maybe even more pressure! It’s something that I like, I want to give it a go. I’m learning, studying, listening from a lot of different people and in football you always keep learning every day so I’m happy about this.”
Additionally, reports suggest that Fabregas has aspirations of coaching either Barcelona or Arsenal in the future. Recently, he visited London Colney to collaborate with the under-18’s manager Jack Wilshere and to study Mikel Arteta’s managerial tactics, as Arteta has led a transformation of the club over the past three and a half years.
“I was lucky enough to be at the training ground recently, it felt like I was never there before because everything changed so much,” he said on Sky Sports. “The manager of the training ground told me it’s 95 per cent Mikel, who’s changed the whole thing. He’s changed everything. The perception of the club over the last few years, a lot of positive messages around the training ground, much bigger facilities, better equipment, the pitches, you name it.
“I think as well at the entrance you have a symbol of an empty Premier League trophy and he wants to show the message ‘guys, we just need to put it in there’. Every day the players go in there, they see it without it only being the symbol so it’s like a message and inspiration every day to go there and prove yourself that you want to put the Premier League there.
“He’s changed the mentality of the club since Arsene [Wenger] left and it’s fantastic what he’s done.”
Despite Fabregas’ aspirations to manage Arsenal, some supporters on Reddit seem to have reservations about the idea. In fact, some have even suggested Granit Xhaka as an alternative replacement for Arteta when he eventually moves on from the managerial role at Arsenal.
In response to one user saying “Arteta will be our manager till he retires”, KSBrian007 said: “Even then, Xhaka will be waiting right up”, Proper-Exam1746 said: “It will be a long time if it’s his dream to manage Arsenal. We already got Granit Xhaka waiting…” and FreeTheWoo said: “I’ll take Xhaka coaching Arsenal before this guy in fact I’ll even take Jorginho before him.”
It is interesting to note that Xhaka has acknowledged seeking guidance from Arteta in his pursuit to develop himself as a coach. He has previously admitted to picking Arteta’s brains and learning from him wherever possible. “I think Mikel is so smart and clever he knows before everyone,” the Swiss midfielder said. “I am also taking a lot from Mikel with my coaching and I am enjoying it.”
‘Xhaka will be waiting!’ – Arsenal’s next manager determined with Cesc Fabregas to begin first step
