Cesc Fàbregas e Mirwan Suwarso a WebSummit Lisbona

KO 1907: A Community-Driven Football Project

Introduction to KO 1907

• Football clubs have historically been central to community identity, fostering passion and camaraderie.

• KO 1907 is a local, community-led initiative aimed at enhancing the town's football presence while contributing to regional growth and sustainability.

Recent Developments in Management

• KO 1907 has achieved two consecutive promotions and is now targeting Italy's top division.

• Breaking news reveals that Cesc Fabregas has been appointed as the interim manager following a managerial change.

Cesc Fabregas' Perspective on His New Role

• Fabregas expresses excitement about his new position, acknowledging the rapid transition and respect for his predecessor.

• Miran Suaro discusses data-driven decisions behind the managerial change, emphasizing performance regression despite recent successes.

Club Vision and Future Goals

• The ownership group aims to enhance fan experience by providing exciting football, which aligns with their broader project goals.

• KO 1907 seeks to grow its brand globally while maintaining strong local ties; they own TV rights in key markets like America and Southeast Asia.

Commitment to Development

• Fabregas highlights the quality of people involved in the club as a major factor for his commitment, expressing pride in finishing his career there.

• He emphasizes learning every day as he transitions into management, aiming to help advance the club towards its ambitious vision.

Investment and Ambition for Growth

• Fabregas discusses his investment in KO 1907, motivated by a desire to be part of a serious project focused on sustainable growth.

Ambitions and Community Engagement in Football

Vision for the Club

• The ownership aims to create a unique soccer tourism destination in Lake Ko, leveraging its potential as a tourist hub with limited competition.

• The club has expanded significantly, growing from no official store to 350 merchandise touchpoints across various cities.

Community Involvement

• Initiatives include establishing an international school focused on football and data analysis, alongside community engagement efforts.

• Emphasis is placed on building trust within the local community, especially given the club's history of bankruptcy which has left fans feeling insecure.

Commitment to Local Development

• The owners prioritize showing care for the community through investments in local hospitals and initiatives rather than just focusing on football performance.

• Innovative ideas include not releasing a new home shirt every season to foster sustainability and connection with fans.

Coaching Philosophy and Challenges

• The current head coach reflects on his journey from youth coaching to first-team management, emphasizing the importance of facing challenges positively.

• His background at Barcelona Academy instilled a competitive spirit that he brings into his current role at Ko.

Future Aspirations

• There was an initial plan to develop young Indonesian players in Europe; however, regulations shifted focus towards immediate success in Serie A.

• While ambitious about improving infrastructure and player development, ownership maintains realistic goals without aiming for disruption against giants like AC Milan or Juventus.

Business Strategy and Market Positioning

• Ownership seeks sustainable growth by creating a soccer tourism business while nurturing local talent from Ko.

• They leverage their extensive business network in Indonesia (276 brands), using Ko as an experimental ground for broader market strategies.

Role of Key Players

• Companies are increasingly interested in collaborating with the club due to its access to Indonesia's large consumer base.

Cesc Fabregas on His Coaching Aspirations and Future Plans

Long-Term Commitment to Como

• Cesc Fabregas expresses his desire to take control of the team permanently, emphasizing that one of his main objectives is to lead the club forward.

• He acknowledges that he joined Como with the hope of becoming their coach one day, indicating a long-term vision for his role at the club.

• Fabregas clarifies that while he aims for success, he prefers not to look too far ahead and focuses on performing well in his current position.

Focus on Present Performance

• He stresses the importance of concentrating on daily tasks rather than getting distracted by future ambitions, citing past experiences where overthinking led to unfavorable outcomes.

• Fabregas emphasizes giving his all to Como, stating that focusing on present performance will yield positive results in the future.

Transition from Player to Coach

• Reflecting on his career, he admits that management was not initially a focus until recent years when he began contemplating life after playing football.

• The confinement period allowed him time for reflection and discussions about coaching aspirations, leading him to embrace this new chapter.

Challenges of Management

• Fabregas humorously notes how quickly management can age someone due to its stresses but expresses genuine passion for coaching.

• He shares that coaching has reignited feelings and enthusiasm within him that he thought were lost during the latter part of his playing career.

Vision for Club Development

• When asked about ambitions beyond Como, Fabregas states they are focused solely on building something sustainable at Como without plans for expansion into other clubs or projects.

• He highlights existing business ventures tied to ownership as integral parts of their strategy moving forward.

Significance of Key Signings

• The arrival of notable figures like Cesc himself and Thierry Henry is seen as a vote of confidence in their project by both players and stakeholders involved.

Discussion on Mikel Arteta and Youth Development

Reflections on Arsenal's Journey

• The speaker discusses the resilience shown by Arsenal in retaining Mikel Arteta despite three consecutive eighth-place finishes, highlighting the club's belief in his potential.

• Emphasizes the importance of commitment to a project and a person, using Arsenal as an example of how faith in leadership can yield positive results.

Inspiration from Arteta's Approach

• The speaker acknowledges that while decisions about coaching roles are not solely theirs, they appreciate the value of youth and innovation within coaching staff.

• Mentions the significance of data analytics and scouting for young talent as part of their strategy to build something special at their own club.

Learning from Past Experiences

• Reflects on personal experiences with Arsène Wenger, who supported them during their development as a player, emphasizing patience with young talents.

• Shares admiration for coaches like Guardiola, Mourinho, and Wenger, indicating that they draw inspiration from these figures while pursuing their coaching qualifications.

Transitioning Leadership to Cesc Fabregas

• Discusses conversations with Cesc Fabregas regarding his management potential; highlights Fabregas' humility and intelligence in planning for the future.

• Reveals that Arteta offered supportive words to Fabregas upon taking up his role, reinforcing a sense of community among coaches.

Future Aspirations for Cesc Fabregas