CESC FABREGAS has been tipped to follow Mikel Arteta and become an elite manager.
Arsenal chief Arteta, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira all gained their coaching badges on Osian Roberts’ watch.
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Now former Gunners and Chelsea star Fabregas is Roberts’ assistant manager at Serie B side Como.
Roberts, the former technical director of the FA of Wales, said: “I have worked with and mentored a few bright young coaches, Mikel, Patrick, Thierry, Pep Lijnders.
“But Cesc is certainly in the top category. He wants to be a head coach in the future.
“This is the perfect scenario for him as he only finished playing last summer but he gets the opportunity to coach and present as an assistant manager.
“He was a top quality player but he is also intelligent.
“He’s a very impressive young man, serious about his work and improving as much as he can.
And he has been key for me. He played in the league last season so he knows all the teams, stadiums, opposition and knows our dressing room. He has been a big help.”
Roberts, 58, reversed roles with Fabregas, who is co-owner of Como alongside Henry, when the Welshman was named manager in December after the Spanish hero removed himself due to a lack of Uefa coaching badges.
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Fabregas — a World Cup and two-time European Championship winner — starts his pro licence this summer and the 36-year-old will then be able to manage in the top leagues.
Roberts’ previous job was No 2 to Vieira at Premier League outfit Crystal Palace before he was sacked 12 months ago.
The former Wales assistant to Gary Speed and Chris Coleman added: “I’ve quite often held roles where I have been a mentoring assistant and older than the head coach.
“It’s important to help Cesc to be the next coach. You do that by giving him space to develop.
“I always enjoyed it when managers delegate so it’s important I do likewise for my staff so they can make a significant contribution.”
The double act of Roberts and Fabregas are on a mission to lead Como — in the shadow of the Alps — into Serie A against the likes of Italian giants AC Milan, Inter and Juventus next season.
Como, who host Sudtirol next Monday, are fourth in Serie B, only two points behind Venezia in the second automatic promotion spot.
Roberts said: “There are eight games to go and the club is trying to be in fast forward mode.
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“In the last two seasons we’ve finished 13th so the jump in the last 12 months has been significant. We are going to push all the way.
“There are ambitious people here who want to get into Serie A.
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That’s the aim. It’s a tough league with big teams like Sampdoria, Parma and Palermo.
“But we plan to build a new stadium on the lake, a training ground and academy. It’s not about throwing money about, we want to do it in the right way and develop the club.”