Every award inevitably brings with it controversy and debate, and the one handed to Cesc Fabregas is no exception. The Spaniard from Como was voted by his colleagues as the best coach in Serie A at the Gran Galà del Calcio, a result born from the extraordinary journey of his team, which for the first time in history will play in the Champions League. What has caused controversy this time is the second place of Cristian Chivus (followed by Roma's Gasperini): it was not enough for him to win the league title and the Italian Cup in his debut on the big bench to take first place, nor even the clear advantage over his colleague from Como in the head-to-head matches last season.
Looking at the numbers, no team in Italy could compare to Inter: the championship title was almost never in question and in the Coppa Italia the biggest obstacle was Como, who were overthrown when they were two goals ahead at the end of a spectacular match. But for their Serie A colleagues, the Lario team's Champions League is worth much more than any trophy won during the season.
Cesc Fàbregas has been named Serie A Coach of the Year at Gran Galà del Calcio, a prestigious event organized by our Italian colleagues @assocalciatori. ?
— PFA (@PFA) September 2, 2026
Cesc started his coaching journey with the support of the PFA, and we're delighted to see this recognition for his... pic.twitter.com/2QdxRy3nm0
Chivu second, despite an unforgettable season
When he was chosen by Inter to replace Simone Inzaghi, Chivu had only 13 Serie A games under his belt with Parma. He had just begun to establish himself among the big names and inherited a team that was tired from the season that had just ended, with the disappointment of losing the league and the Champions League in the final breath. Everyone expected a year of transition, but the Romanian won Serie A and the Italian Cup, becoming the first since José Mourinho to achieve the double with the Nerazzurri.
He experienced a season as a major protagonist, both on the pitch and with his press conferences, always stinging and which many remembered precisely the style of the “Special One”. Even the comparison with Fabregas, at least on paper, gives Chivus justice. In addition to the achievements during the season, the balance between Inter and Como leans strongly in favor of Milan: the two teams faced each other four times last season and the neroli won on three occasions (the other result was 0-0 in the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-finals), with an overall score of 15-5. The team from Lario never managed to defeat him in the Lombard derby of high levels, unlike some of the other big teams that were taken points (only Milan has never lost to them in the championship).
Why Fabregas won
In the end, however, the award went to the Spaniard, who is no longer a surprise in Serie A. Como's project has gained momentum, this year the team will play in the Champions League and in the transfer market he has continued to dominate, with high-level purchases and intelligent reinforcements to best cope with the competition on two fronts.
Fabregas was voted for by his peers, a factor that should not be forgotten: he was evaluated by those who have faced him for a whole year, studied his strategies and strengths and, in the end, he emerged victorious against Chivus because Como, in the most important European competition, had never been seen before in its history. Everything seems to fade into the background in front of this achievement, which is even greater than two trophies to put on display.
