‘Crazy 24 hours’ – McFarlane ready for Chelsea chance

Calum McFarlane, Chelsea’s interim manager, acknowledges that the 24-hour period since his appointment as Enzo Maresca’s temporary replacement has been a “whirlwind.”

18 months after taking Mauricio Pochettino’s place at Stamford Bridge, Italian Maresca left for the Blues.

Chelsea’s U21s head coach, McFarlane, has been appointed interim manager and will be in charge of Manchester City’s Premier League game on Sunday.

Due to McFarlane’s appointment’s unexpected nature, the Englishman had to have his training ground pass changed on Friday morning to allow him to access the club’s press conference room.

According to McFarlane, “It’s been a crazy 24 hours, a whirlwind, as you can imagine,” but also really enjoyable and exciting.

“I can only think positively about it,” he said. It was a wonderful experience.

He continued, “I’m quite at ease. As the game gets closer to hand, I’m sure it will get more nerve-wracking. Even though I’ve never worked at this level, the young people have been excellent, and we will do this together.

Maresca left on Tuesday after drawing level with Bournemouth 2-2, leaving the Blues 15 points adrift of Arsenal’s leaders.

Pep Guardiola, who celebrated managing his 1, 000th game as head coach in November, will make his senior team manager debut with McFarlane.

The team must be prepared, he said, and our job is to support the players as they go about carrying out their plans.

“I wouldn’t say that we don’t have anything to lose.” We must present a true reflection of ourselves.

Chelsea is three places and 11 points adrift of Manchester’s second-placed City.

Maresca’s departure was reported as having been a result of reports that the Italian had discussed a possible replacement for Guardiola, but the former Leicester City manager refuted these claims.

When Maresca left, Guardiola said, “From my point of view Chelsea have lost an incredible manager and incredible person.”

I have nothing to say because it’s a decision made by the Chelsea hierarchy. How fortunate I am in this club. My club is unique.

Guardiola, whose current contract runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, said: “I have one more year.