Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane on a ‘whirlwind’ 24 hours since replacing Enzo Maresca
Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane admits the 24 hours have been a “whirlwind” since he was appointed as the interim replacement for Enzo Maresca.
Italian Maresca parted ways with the Blues on Thursday, 18 months after replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
McFarlane, head coach of Chelsea’s U21 team, has been appointed as interim manager and will take charge of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City.
Such was the unexpected nature of McFarlane’s appointment that the Englishman’s training ground pass had to be changed before he could enter the club’s press conference room on Friday morning.
“It was a crazy 24 hours, a whirlwind as you can imagine, but it was also really enjoyable and really exciting,” McFarlane said.
“I can only feel positive about it. It’s an incredible experience.”
He added: “I’m quite relieved. I’m sure it will get more frustrating the closer we get to the game. I haven’t trained at this level before but the boys have been fantastic and we’ll do it together.”
Maresca’s departure follows Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, which left the Blues 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
It means McFarlane’s first game as manager of a top-flight team will come against Pep Guardiola, who celebrated managing his 1,000th game as head coach in November.
“The team needs to be ready and prepared and our role is to give the players the support they need to go and work,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say we have nothing to lose. We have to give ourselves a really good account of ourselves.”
Chelsea head to Manchester three places behind and 11 points behind second-placed City.
Although the news following Maresca’s departure claimed that the Italian football player was in talks with City to replace Guardiola, the former Leicester City boss denied these claims.
“From my point of view, Chelsea have lost an incredible manager and an incredible person,” Guardiola said on Maresca’s departure.
“This is a decision from the Chelsea hierarchy, so I have nothing to say. How lucky I am at the club I’m at. My club is fantastic.”
Guardiola, whose current contract is valid until the end of the 2026-27 season, answered the question about his future as follows: “I have one more year.
“I’ve been here for 10 years and I promise to leave one day, but I have a contract, I’m happy, I want to fight with my team, the hierarchy respect me – they proved last season that we didn’t win a single game in three months.”
