On January 1, Chelsea and Enzo Maresca ended their partnership, and reports suggest the club is looking to appoint a new manager soon, with Liam Rosenior as the frontrunner. In the meantime, Chelsea faced Manchester City, with Calum McFarlane stepping in as interim manager, supported by Harry Hudson and Dan Hogan. Chelsea fell behind 1-0, but a cross from Malo Gusto was converted by Enzo Fernandez, securing a draw for the team. After the match, McFarlane addressed the media about this dramatic outcome.
Calum McFarlane Discusses Managerial Role and Earning a Deserved Point
McFarlane Reflects on Chelsea’s Dramatic Point
On the players’ performance and the late equalizer, McFarlane commented: “Great experience. I’m really proud of how the players performed, especially in the second half.”
When asked about feeling nervous, McFarlane said:
“Surprisingly not. I expected to feel it when I arrived, but I felt normal. Honestly, it felt really normal. I’ve managed for a long time, just not at this level.”
He explained his half-time substitution of bringing Andrey Santos on for Estevao:
“We didn’t anticipate their formation in the first half with the No. 6 up front. We were getting pushed back. The change at half-time allowed us to match them more closely. Andrey was impressive when he came on, and Liam also provided a solid outlet. It’s remarkable that the players managed to respond while 1-0 down at the Etihad with all the changes; it shows the character of our squad,” McFarlane added.
Interim Boss Reveals What Pep Said and Looks to the Future
When discussing his exchange with Pep Guardiola after the match, McFarlane said: “I don’t recall exactly. I shook his hand and said ‘good game.’ It’s an honor to compete against someone like Pep, the best in the game.”
As for the upcoming match against Benfica on January 7, McFarlane said: “It depends on when the new manager arrives. If he’s in place by Wednesday, I look forward to managing the Under-21s against Benfica. If not, I’m prepared to lead the team against Fulham.”
Regarding interacting with fans post-match, he noted: “I wasn’t keen on doing that initially, but Reece encouraged me. Some fans were surprised by the Enzo decision, but the character shown by the team in recent days has been impressive. Reece, Tosin, and Enzo have really united the squad. I can’t speak highly enough of the group. This was another moment where Reece showed his selflessness,” praised McFarlane, recognizing the seasoned players in his squad.
Whatever comes next for McFarlane, Hudson, and Hogan, they can be proud of their efforts and the players for this valuable point. The next permanent manager at Stamford Bridge can use this encouraging draw to build on going forward.
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