Cesc Fabregas' managerial stock continues to rise, and he moved even closer to his dream managerial job after Como equalled the record for the biggest Champions League winning margin.

On an unforgettable night for the Spaniard, Como continued to defy the odds as seven second-half goals helped them thump RC Lens 9-1 away from home to continue their excellent start in Europe's elite competition.

The Serie A side have now beaten RB Leipzig, Manchester United and Lens to collect nine points from a possible 12, as they sit proudly in fourth on their Champions League debut.

Cesc Fabregas moves closer to 'dream' Barcelona job

Como's rise from the lower echelons of Serie B to equaling records in the Champions League is one of the most remarkable success stories in the modern era.

Fabregas has played a huge role in their incredible journey, joining the Italian team as a player in 2022 after leaving Monaco before being named the permanent head coach in July 2024 following their promotion to Serie A for the first time in 21 years.

The 39-year-old had previously held the caretaker role between November and December 2023, but has since established himself as one of the best managers in the world after reaching similar heights as a player.

After guiding them to a 10th-place finish in his first campaign, Fabregas then masterminded a fourth-place finish in Serie A and a ticket to the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

Combining the positional play he learned under Pep Guardiola with the fast-paced transitions of Arsene Wenger, Como have destroyed many teams under the Spanish tactician and this latest exceptional performance on the big stage only puts him closer to his dream job.

Fabregas has always harboured ambitions of coaching his boyhood club Barcelona, outlining this aspiration four years ago when he was coming to the end of his playing career.

“I can’t deny that it would be a dream to coach Barca one day. Time will tell. Right now all I want to do is prepare myself well to become a coach,” Fabregas said in an interview with RAC1.

When asked about his preparations for becoming a manager, he added: "I have notebooks with notes about the things I liked and didn’t like about the different coaches I’ve had. To keep it in mind for the future.”

Fabregas came through the ranks at La Masia but ended up leaving the Camp Nou for Arsenal in 2003. He famously spent eight years in North London before returning to his boyhood club in 2011, where he produced 42 goals and 50 assists in 151 appearances before joining Chelsea in 2014.

Cesc Fabregas is not against managing Real Madrid

The former midfield maestro has gone from pulling the strings on the pitch to doing so in the dugout, and it feels only a matter of time before he's moving to one of Europe's biggest clubs.

Barcelona offering him a role as manager is a self-proclaimed dream, but he's open to the idea of joining another footballing giant and hasn't ruled out the possibility of managing Real Madrid.

“I don’t have a red line. One red line, and I’ve been very clear about this from the beginning, is that I wouldn’t want to be an assistant… for example. I’m clear that I want to be a head coach," Fabregas said in May.

"The other thing (the possibility of Real Madrid)? I haven’t even thought about it or considered it. I haven’t had time for anything.”

It would go down like a lead balloon at Barcelona if Fabregas ever joins Real Madrid, but if his stock continues to skyrocket, he could be in the running to eventually replace Jose Mourinho.