Chelsea saw manager Enzo Maresca leave the club at the midway point in the season and their first match without the Italian in charge comes against high-flying Manchester City
Calum McFarlane taking Chelsea training
Calum McFarlane taking Chelsea training(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Chelsea caretaker boss Calum McFarlane needed his work pass changed just to get into the first team building as he prepares to take charge of his first Premier League match. McFarlane, who had been working with the Blues' academy, will be in the dugout on Sunday after Enzo Maresca's sudden departure.
Maresca, who had been in charge at Chelsea since the summer of 2024, has left Stamford Bridge with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez hinting at further exits. That has thrust McFarlane into the spotlight and he addressed the matter in a press conference on Friday.
"It did, yes. It got changed to let me in. In all honesty, it's exactly the same as wherever you work," McFarlane told reporters when asked if his new pass gave him the access he needed.
"We're all in it for the same reason. We all love football and we're here to support them. Training was really good today. There was a really good energy. The lads have been brilliant. The staff at the club have been brilliant. You can't ask for any more."
McFarlane said he was introduced individually to a handful of people before meeting the whole squad on Friday morning. He had been in charge of the Blues' Under-21s since joining from Southampton over the summer and has been impressed by a number of individuals, not least captain Reece James.
"He's been a real leader in the group and supported the staff and the players," the caretaker manager said of James. "You can't ask for any more. It just seems like a real focus for getting the best performance we can on Sunday."
Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg
Liam Rosenior is the front-runner to take the permanent Chelsea job
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It remains to be seen whether this is McFarlane's only game in charge of the first team. Chelsea's search for a new permanent manager has seen Liam Rosenior emerge as a leading candidate, with the Strasbourg manager asked about the links himself on Friday.
"I'm going to talk about [Strasbourg's upcoming opponents] Nice because that's my job," Rosenior said. "There's a lot of noise, a lot of speculation, but as a coach, if you get involved in that, you fail. My job is here, I love this club.
"No, I haven't spoken to the players about it. There's no need, they're connected and I've had a few light-hearted jokes. But we've been focused on our work. The goal is to continue creating great things here.
"In life, there are zero guarantees. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I'm just doing my job. There's already been speculation. I don't want to guarantee how long I'll be here, but I enjoy myself here every day. I intend to continue doing so as long as I'm here. I love this club, but I can't guarantee anything. Nobody can."
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