Calum McFarlane's ascent to Chelsea's interim managerial position came at a personal cost, requiring him to postpone a family outing. The Under-21 coach was en route to a Windsor light show with his family on Thursday when he received a call from Chelsea's sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. They requested his presence at the Cobham training center "when can you get in?" and McFarlane responded that he could be there in an hour. This sudden summons diverted him from his family plans and placed him in contention to lead the Blues in their upcoming match against Manchester City.
McFarlane, who joined Chelsea from Southampton last summer, was informed of Enzo Maresca's departure and the club's decision to appoint him as the interim manager. Maresca's exit reportedly stemmed from a deterioration in his relationship with Chelsea's hierarchy, due to conversations about potentially succeeding Pep Guardiola at City and disagreements regarding player fitness.
McFarlane acknowledged the whirlwind nature of the past 24 hours, describing it as "crazy" but also "really enjoyable and exciting". Despite the abrupt change in plans, McFarlane conveyed his enthusiasm and readiness to take on the challenge. He mentioned that his wife was "wasn't very happy about that" upon learning about the change of plans.
With a new security pass hurriedly arranged to grant him access to the first-team building, McFarlane led the team's training session on Friday. Reflecting on the session, McFarlane noted the "really good energy" and the players' focus and enthusiasm. He observed that the team seemed driven and hungry, recognizing the significance of the upcoming match against Manchester City.
Looking ahead to the game at the Etihad Stadium, McFarlane is aware he will be up against Pep Guardiola, a six-time Premier League winner. McFarlane previously worked in City's academy in the 2020-21 season. Despite the daunting task, McFarlane exuded confidence in his team's readiness. "They know we've got a massive game on Sunday, and were going to have to be at our best" he said.
Chelsea currently sits fifth in the Premier League standings. The Blues are three points behind fourth-place Liverpool and three points ahead of 11th-place Fulham. This game against City marks the beginning of a busy month for Chelsea, with nine matches scheduled across all competitions.
While McFarlane takes charge on an interim basis, Liam Rosenior, who coaches French team Strasbourg, has emerged as a leading candidate for the permanent managerial position. Rosenior himself has acknowledged the uncertainty of the future, stating, "In life, there are zero guarantees".
McFarlane has confirmed his backroom staff, and that set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva is the only surviving member of Enzo Maresca's administration. McFarlane is joined by Andy Ross and James Simmonds, his assistants from the under-21s, and Adam Keep, the U21s' chief analyst. McFarlane's immediate focus remains on preparing the team for the match against Manchester City, with the long-term future yet to be determined.
