Things could’ve been very different for new interim Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane.
Following the sacking of Liam Rosenior after just four months at Stamford Bridge, McFarlane – who took care of the Blues for two games prior to the appointment – has been installed for the rest of the season.
The ex-under-19 coach at Chelsea was promoted to the first team after the departure of Enzo Maresca, having previously worked at Manchester City and Southampton at academy level.
Rated as a “rising star” within BlueCo, Celtic made an approach to poach him earlier this season.
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Celtic’s approach for Chelsea coach Calum McFarlane revisited.
After the Hoops’ coaching staff was left devastated by the resignation of Brendan Rodgers, they went searching to refill the Parkhead dugout.
Celtic’s approach for permission to speak to McFarlane was “reluctantly accepted” by Chelsea according to The 42, but the move didn’t materialise.
READ MORE:Celtic ‘request permission’ to speak to Chelsea coach as Brendan Rodgers replacement search gathers pace
Chelsea U21s manager Calum McFarlane watches on against Ajax in the UEFA Youth League
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We don’t know what role McFarlane was offered, but it was likely a role in the first team coaching staff as opposed to any academy roles, which would’ve been too similar to the position he held at Chelsea at the time.
It’s unlikely that McFarlane had a crystal ball to foresee his future first-team opportunity with the London club, so we have to assume that he rejected the Hoops for other reasons.
Instead, Martin O’Neill’s ‘dream team’ backroom staff was made up of Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus, all of whom were given their Celtic debuts under the Irishman.
Celtic have already made a senior appointment from Chelsea this season, confirming James Bell-Walker as a senior scout following the departure of Jay Lefevre.
Maloney had only recently been installed as Darren O’Dea’s replacement as Player Pathways Manager, after spells in charge of Hibs and Wigan.
McManus was also an internal promotion as ex-manager of the B team, whilst Fotheringham was available after a spell as assistant at Swansea and had never coached at the club before.
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The situation with McFarlane is similar to that of Maresca, who was hotly linked with the Celtic job on a number of occasions prior to managing the London club.
Familiar with the Lawwells through his time in the City Group, Maresca reportedly held talks with the club prior to both the arrival of Ange Postecoglou and the return of Brendan.
Ultimately, he chose to replace Rodgers at Leicester, evidencing how small the world of football is.
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