The ‘simple’ reason why Chelsea have decided to bring Calum McFarlane back as interim manager

With only five games left to play this season, possibly six, Chelsea have decided to give McFarlane the job until the summer. At that point, Chelsea are then expected to appoint a new manager in his place.

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McFarlane, of course, has worked as the club’s caretaker manager in the past. Before Rosenior joined, McFarlane oversaw a brilliant draw against Manchester City and then a 10-man defeat against Fulham.

Kaveh Solhekol explains Calum McFarlane’s appointment

Realistically, it is one of only a few moves that the hierarchy could make at this stage. A new long-term manager is unlikely to come in for the next few weeks. John Terry has said he has not been contacted.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Kaveh Solhekol explained the decision that has seen McFarlane stare an FA Cup semi-final clash against Leeds United at Wembley in the face, in just his third senior game as a manager.

“The reason they’ve gone for Callum McFarlane is simple. He’s somebody who’s done the job before. He was in charge for two games. He’s someone who’s inside the building and worked inside the structure.

“So, I know a lot of fans want them to sort of demolish that structure and go back to the way things used to be at Stamford Bridge, but at the moment it doesn’t look like that is going to happen,” Solhekol said.

Callum McFarlane’s history as a manager

McFarlane is well-respected at Chelsea and that was proven in the celebrations after the 40-year-old masterminded a draw against Pep Guardiola’s Man City. Just eight years ago, he was managing Croydon.

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Having impressed at the non-league side, he joined Man City’s youth academy and began working as an assistant in the U18 set-up. He left to join Southampton and become the Saints U18 boss in 2023.

He would finish the last few months of the 2024-25 season as Southampton’s U21 manager, before joining Chelsea as the club’s U21 boss for the 2025-26 season. He was since promoted by Rosenior.

Working as a coach with the first team, McFarlane’s rapid rise now sees him take over Chelsea for a second time as a caretaker manager. Remarkably, he leads Chelsea into an FA Cup semi on Sunday.