Chelsea Football Club has made a significant change to its coaching structure, with interim manager Calum McFarlane securing a permanent role with the senior squad.
From Caretaker to Permanent Role
Calum McFarlane, the 37-year-old who temporarily led the first team for two matches, will not be returning to his previous position as head coach of the Under 21s. Instead, new first-team manager Liam Rosenior has personally invited him to join his senior backroom staff. This decision comes after Rosenior was impressed by McFarlane's handling of the squad during a brief but challenging period.
McFarlane took temporary charge following Enzo Maresca's departure on New Year's Day. He oversaw a 1-1 draw away at Manchester City and a 2-1 defeat at Fulham. The match at Craven Cottage was notably difficult, with defender Marc Cucurella receiving a red card after just 22 minutes for denying Harry Wilson a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Rosenior's Early Impression and New Era Begins
Rosenior, who watched the Fulham match from the directors' box alongside club co-owner Behdad Eghbali, evidently saw enough to want McFarlane by his side. The pair will now begin working together immediately, with Rosenior's first training session scheduled for Thursday afternoon. His debut as Chelsea boss will come this Saturday in an FA Cup tie away at Charlton Athletic.
The promotion appears to have taken McFarlane somewhat by surprise. After the Fulham loss, when asked by reporters if he was returning to the Under 21s, he stated, 'As I'm aware, we're back with the Under 21s tomorrow.' He even inquired about the youth team's result that evening, a match in which Chelsea's Under 21s suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat to Benfica in the Premier League International Cup.
Reshuffling the Coaching Pack
With McFarlane moving up, a replacement has been appointed for the development squad. Harry Hudson will be promoted to take charge of Chelsea's Under 21s side moving forward, ensuring continuity within the club's academy structure.
This swift internal appointment underscores Rosenior's desire to build a cohesive team behind the scenes as he embarks on his tenure at Stamford Bridge. McFarlane's recent experience with the senior players during a transitional phase is clearly viewed as a valuable asset for the challenges ahead.
