Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane has expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family for helping him navigate what he describes as the most turbulent period of his career. The 38-year-old revealed that spending time at home watching cartoons with his two-year-old son has provided a much-needed escape from the pressures of managing a top Premier League club.
A Surprising Path to Wembley
McFarlane is now on the brink of leading Chelsea to FA Cup glory against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. He mentioned the popular children's show Bluey as a favourite in his household, reflecting on how he has tried to maintain a sense of normality during the upheaval at Stamford Bridge.
Appointed as interim in January following Enzo Maresca's departure, McFarlane took the reins again last month after Liam Rosenior was dismissed. Now, he stands one win away from securing a major trophy, having spent much of his coaching career working with youth teams ranging from Under 11s to Under 21s.
Dedication Through the Ranks
'I’d like to think I've worked hard throughout my whole career, whether it was being an Under 11s coach, whether it was being an Under 15s coach, whether it was 18s or 21s,' McFarlane said. 'I’ve always worked really hard to make sure I’ve given the players everything they need to be successful. It’s a bigger challenge in terms of the level. But you have to work hard in this job.'
He added: 'It's a demanding job. It's been such a crazy six months. It’s nice to still have that bit of normality when you go home. They (his family) have been massive and really helpful when you need to take a break, when you need to switch off from it. That’s so helpful in those moments. Going home and watching Cars with my two-year-old son, or Bluey, or whatever he likes to watch.'
McFarlane acknowledged the pressure but embraced the challenge: 'But I’ve enjoyed the challenge, the pressure and the demands. I’m just trying to do the best job I can for the club, for the fans, for the players.'
Preparing for the Final
McFarlane oversaw a 1-1 Premier League draw away at City in January, his first senior match in charge. Chelsea have studied that game closely in preparation for the Wembley showdown. 'You want to do as much due diligence as you can, and be as prepared for a top side,' he said. 'You have to look into everything and try and get any advantage you can. We’ve watched that game back. We’ve watched loads of City games to try to prepare us for a really big challenge.'
From City Academy to Chelsea
McFarlane previously worked in Manchester City's academy before moving to Chelsea last summer, following a stint at Southampton coaching their Under 18s and Under 21s. Reflecting on the magnitude of managing in an FA Cup final, with Europa League qualification also at stake for the winners, he said: 'It's massive, isn't it? Everyone remembers watching it in the morning, the build-up, three or four hour build-up. Being at Chelsea, you remember that Roberto Di Matteo goal, 30, 40 seconds into the game (in the 1997 FA Cup final win over Middlesbrough). For every child growing up who loves football in England, the FA Cup is massive.'
