‘Tactical obsessive’ McFarlane thrown in deep end again at Chelsea

Calum McFarlane will take charge of Chelsea until the end of the season after Liam Rosenior’s sacking, starting with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds.

It’s not McFarlane’s first stint in interim charge at Stamford Bridge.

He took temporary charge after Enzo Maresca’s exit in January for Chelsea’s 1-1 draw away to Manchester City and the 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

But now he faces a crucial few days as he prepares to be in the dugout for the Blues’ FA Cup semi-final at Wembley before being tasked with trying to achieve European qualification.

The ‘tactical obsessive’ who rose from grassroots

Analysis from Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:

McFarlane, who was Rosenior’s assistant at Chelsea, completed an incredible rise from grassroots football to the Premier League during his first stint as Chelsea interim boss in January.

The club’s former U21 coach subsequently formed part of Liam Rosenior’s coaching staff and is now set for a second spell in the hot seat.

McFarlane earned praise after his tactical adjustments helped claim a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium during his first spell in charge following Maresca’s sacking. He also oversaw Chelsea’s subsequent defeat to Fulham.

His success is no surprise to those who worked with him during a six-year spell as academy manager at Kinetic Academy, a London-based charity with a history of producing professional players from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“I think the Man City game probably changed the narrative from being a nobody to being somebody who knows what he is doing, who is able to execute plans perfectly on the big stage,” Fotheringham told Sky Sports in January.

“We found that it was always tactically where grassroots players struggled and Cal was great at relaying that information straight across to the kids to give them a chance.

“He was a massive student of the game and obsessed tactically with modern developments and what the managers were doing.

“There was a lot of time spent analysing games using the technology available to make sure that we knew, as a grassroots academy, how we could give the kids an advantage. He gave them tools to exploit to help them shine when they got opportunities.

“If you asked anyone, kid or adult, who played in teams that he has led or been a part of the coaching staff with, they would say he is one of the strongest tactical coaches out there.

“I am not surprised at all to see him make the leaps that he has done.”

McFarlance’s last games in charge…

‘McFarlane has another chance to impress’

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Sky Sports News:

“They are believing in McFarlane.

“He’s done a job against Man City, he’s held it together so they must believe he can do it. He’s been at the club over a year, everyone speaks really highly of him, so he’s got an opportunity here like Michael Carrick.

“He knows the players, they like him, they fought for him against Man City. He’s been helping Liam, so it will calm things down, hopefully.

“Hopefully he can get them going on Sunday.”

Who could take over at Chelsea long term?

Latest from Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol:

Chelsea are planning to take their time to make the right appointment.

They have not spoken to any candidates to replace Rosenior yet and no shortlist has been drawn up.

Having said that, the likes of Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Xabi Alonso will all be available.

Other names in the frame could be Marco Silva, if he leaves Fulham and Cesc Fabregas.

Chelsea have previously held talks with Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto De Zerbi when the top job has become available.

It remains to be seen whether elite-level managers are willing to work in the structure currently in place at the club.

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com