Interim Coach Unafraid to Face Pep Guardiola and Man City

Chelsea's interim manager, Calum McFarlane, expressed his excitement about taking charge of the team following the unexpected departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day.

Following Enzo Maresca's exit, Chelsea’s leadership decided to appoint Calum McFarlane, the U21 coach, as the temporary head while searching for a top-tier manager. McFarlane’s first challenge will be tough as he and his players face Pep Guardiola’s Man City in the 20th round of the Premier League.

In his first press conference as Chelsea’s head coach, McFarlane admitted he was surprised by the honor and enthusiastic about the upcoming match.

The English tactician stated: "The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind, as one might expect, but also very exciting and inspiring. I’m looking at everything positively.

Chelsea has a strong cultural foundation, with support from the first team to the management; everyone shows care and unity. The academy’s presence remains constant, familiar from U21 matches. In reality, not much has changed; everyone is focused on the same goal. Today’s training was very productive with a vibrant atmosphere..."

It’s rare for a coach to face such a tough challenge on their very first day, having to confront Pep Guardiola, considered one of the greatest managers in history after numerous successes.

Nevertheless, McFarlane does not emphasize personal rivalry with Guardiola on the sidelines but stresses his responsibility to prepare Chelsea in the best possible condition for the match.

He added: "Ultimately, it’s just a football game. It’s not about me, my debut, or facing Pep; it’s Chelsea versus Man City. Two great teams competing, and we will go there to compete fairly. This season, Chelsea has shown the ability to perform well in critical moments.

I’m quite comfortable with that. As the match approaches, the nerves and pressure might become more noticeable. I don’t feel suddenly famous, aside from the usual messages. I just focus on working daily and giving my best. Nothing has changed.

We understand we will face a very strong, in-form team led by an excellent coach. But Chelsea also has a quality squad. I won’t say we’re going into the match with nothing to lose."

Chelsea is expected to soon finalize the appointment of a permanent head coach to replace Enzo Maresca, with Liam Rosenior emerging as the leading candidate. The former Fulham and Reading defender has been managing a Ligue 1 club since July 2024 and made a strong impression by helping the team qualify for the Conference League in his first season.

Before announcing the new coach, Chelsea will focus on their away match against Man City in the 20th round of the Premier League, scheduled for 00:30 on January 5th.