Como Football Club has completed a triumphant return to Serie A after a 21-year absence, sealing their promotion with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Cosenza on the final day of the 2023-24 season.
Gennaro Tutino’s early goal had put Cosenza ahead, but Simone Verdi’s penalty in the second half secured a crucial point for Como. This result, combined with Venezia’s defeat by Spezia, ensured Como clinched the second automatic promotion spot in Serie B.
Supported by former football stars Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry, Como’s journey to Serie A has been nothing short of remarkable. The club, which has faced bankruptcy twice in the last two decades, has endured a rollercoaster ride of relegations and promotions.
Relegated from Serie A in 2003, Como plummeted to Serie D following financial turmoil. Despite several setbacks, including another bankruptcy, the club began its ascent back up the Italian football pyramid in 2018-19, starting from the non-professional fourth tier.
Under the guidance of UK-based media company SENT Entertainment, Como’s fortunes started to change. They secured promotion to Serie C in 2019 and continued their upward trajectory by winning the Serie C title in 2021, earning a second promotion in three seasons.
The club’s resurgence attracted attention from football legends like Fabregas and Henry, who joined as part-owners. Their influence, along with that of sporting director Dennis Wise, has been instrumental in Como’s success.
Fabregas, who later transitioned to coaching, played a pivotal role in the team’s performance, leading Como as interim boss before caretaker manager Osian Roberts took over. Roberts, assisted by Fabregas, steered Como to promotion with 12 wins in 21 matches.