01/02/26 09:43:00
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01/02 09:41 CST Chelsea's interim coach says players 'really focused' on Man
City after Maresca exit
Chelsea's interim coach says players 'really focused' on Man City after Maresca
exit
LONDON (AP) --- Calum McFarlane said he's had a "whirlwind" 24 hours at Chelsea
since being elevated from Under-21s coach to interim manager and then tasked
with facing Pep Guardiola and Manchester City on Sunday.
The Englishman was put in charge while Chelsea finds a replacement for Enzo
Maresca. McFarlane led team training Friday after his security pass was
upgraded so he could access the first-team building.
"It's been a crazy 24 hours, a whirlwind as you can imagine, but it's also been
really enjoyable and exciting," McFarlane said.
The London club announced on Thursday that Maresca left his position as manager
--- following a reported deterioration in his relationship with the team's
hierarchy.
Liam Rosenior, who coaches French team Strasbourg --- a club in the same
ownership group as Chelsea, has been reported to be a leading contender for the
job.
On Sunday, though, McFarlane will lead the Blues at Etihad Stadium against a
manager who has surpassed the 1,000-game mark in charge.
"The energy and enthusiasm in training was exceptional today," said McFarlane,
who worked in City's academy in the 2020-21 season before moving to Southampton
and then Chelsea. "They seem really focused, they're really driven, hungry.
They know we've got a massive game on Sunday, and were going to have to be at
our best."
Chelsea starts the second half of the Premier League season in fifth place. The
Blues are three points back of fourth-place Liverpool but also just three
points ahead of 11th-place Fulham.
The game at City is the first of nine matches for Chelsea this month in all
competitions.
Chelsea is seeking a fifth full-time manager since the takeover of the club by
American investors, fronted by Todd Boehly, in May 2022.
Maresca was in charge for 18 months and won the Conference League and Club
World Cup in his first season at Chelsea.
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