Calum McFarlane, the interim head coach of Chelsea, will be seeking to make a lasting impression on his in-laws by guiding the Blues to FA Cup glory at Wembley on Saturday. The family of McFarlane’s partner are long-standing season ticket holders at Stamford Bridge, and they will be present to witness his side take on Manchester City in the final.
A chance to salvage the season
This match represents a final opportunity for Chelsea to rescue something from a disappointing campaign. Should they fail to overcome City, the club faces the prospect of a season without European football. McFarlane acknowledged the significance of the occasion for his partner’s family. "My girlfriend's family are massive Chelsea fans," he said. "Her dad and uncles have been season ticket holders for 50 years. She's a massive Chelsea fan. They're very proud. It means a lot to all Chelsea fans. It's a massive game. I hope we can put in a performance for all the fans."
A remarkable rise
The 38-year-old's ascent to the helm of one of England's biggest clubs has been nothing short of extraordinary. Just 12 months ago, he was in charge of Southampton's under-21 side. Saturday's final will be only his sixth match as a senior manager, with his sole victory coming in the semi-final against Leeds. McFarlane, a former youth coach at Southampton and Manchester City, was appointed until the end of the season after Liam Rosenior was sacked in April following just three months in the job.
Reflecting on the upcoming final, McFarlane said: "I can't tell you exactly how I'm going to feel on the day. I'll try to make it as normal as possible. I've taken a few games now at this level. Not a game of this magnitude. I'll try and stay as level as possible. The players, the process, the way we work will be the same. I'm sure I'll feel a lot of emotions on that day."
Mixed results under McFarlane
Since taking temporary charge, results have been inconsistent. Rosenior was dismissed following five consecutive league defeats, and that losing streak extended to six games with a 3-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest in McFarlane's first match. However, the team showed improved spirit in the semi-final win over Leeds and fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 away at Liverpool on Saturday.
McFarlane praised his squad's response: "I've actually been happy with the whole group, the way the whole group has responded. Players in the squad, players out of the squad. The level of professionalism that's been shown at all times. There's obviously players with great experience in there who have played in big competitions, had big moments in their career. You want their opinion, to know how they feel about the game. You want to have that dialogue with those players. I have that with pretty much the whole squad."
