ROBERTS: GLAD I’VE COM OVER
OSIAN ROBERTS was handed one of football’s most enviable managerial gigs following a call from Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry.
Henry has held the Welshman in high esteem ever since attaining his UEFA Pro Licence following a course overseen by Roberts in his role as Football Association of Wales technical director.
Henry is currently manager of France Under-21s, but also part-owner of Italian Serie B side Como 1907, alongside fellow ex-gunners star Cesc Fabregas, with former Chelsea star Dennis Wise the club’s chief executive.
The Frenchman rang in December to ask Roberts, whose last job was as assistant to Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace, to become Como’s interim manager until the summer and then take over as development chief.
The club’s 13,000-capacity stadium is in an idyllic setting beside the stunning Lake Como at the foot of the Alps.
Not that Roberts (below) would ever allow aesthetics to blind his football passion and commitment, although he has suddenly discovered new friends wanting to take a close look at his latest coaching adventure.
“Yes, I am enjoying the culture, the traditions and the history of this wonderful place but the job takes precedence,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a manager in my own right. This club is ambitious and wants to get promoted.”
And Como 1907, who were last in Serie A in 2002-03, are on course to do just that, with Fabregas also fulfilling a coaching role.
But it is the coaching prowess of Roberts, acknowledged by a number of his luminaries, which attracted Como.
In addition to Henry, the Welshman’s admirers include the likes of Vieira, Mikel Arteta, Marcel Desailly and Dean Saunders.
“I’m just glad that Thierry Henry contacted me. We have stayed in touch following the course and become friends,” Roberts added.
“I always said I would only take on a role that excited me. This certainly has.
“It was important that the players took ownership of what we’re doing. We are here to help the players play at the best level.
“The wider role is to build Como into a lasting Serie A club. Being invited by Thierry Henry to try to do this means a lot.”