Joe Cole shares off-camera disagreement he had with Chelsea fans over Calum McFarlane

McFarlane had worked in Man City’s academy before joining Chelsea as the club’s U21 manager. But McFarlane could never have imagined ending the season, guiding Chelsea into an FA Cup semi-final.

DISCUSS: BlueCo must leave for Chelsea to be successful again…

Or is there a future with BlueCo at Chelsea?

Yet, tactically, McFarlane got it spot on against Leeds. With Chelsea in poor form against a physical Leeds side, unbeaten in seven, it looked tough for Chelsea. But McFarlane won fans over as Chelsea won 1-0.

Cole defends McFarlane in disagreement with Chelsea fans

McFarlane guided Chelsea to a clean sheet, something Liam Rosenior managed just four times in his 23 matches as gaffer. But pre-match, there were obviously doubts about McFarlane leading this Chelsea side.

Indeed, McFarlane was actually one of four choices for the interim role, with Roberto Di Matteo among the others considered. But Chelsea stuck with McFarlane largely because he was in the building.

Speaking on The Dressing Room podcast, Cole says he spoke to some Chelsea fans before the game. He says he had to “put them straight”, because they were not having McFarlane before Chelsea beat Leeds.

“They’ve had a bounce; they clearly like the feeling of having Calum. I spoke to him after the game, he’s been Croydon manager and worked in the academy. This is a huge jump,” Cole said about McFarlane.

“I was speaking to some Chelsea fans, and I had to put them straight. Some were saying ‘McFarlane, he doesn’t deserve it, etc.’, I said ‘listen, the kid’s clearly a strong dreamer, he’s gone from there to there.

“In a short period of time, and whatever you say, he’s managing Chelsea and he’s taken them to the FA Cup final’. I like the story, it ain’t perfect, they’re used to seeing Ancelotti, Mourinho, Conte.”

Does McFarlane have a shot at the Chelsea job permanently?

McFarlane has won fans over but the firm belief is that the club’s interim manager will not be guiding Chelsea into the new season. Understandably so, Chelsea need an experienced manager to come in.

Chelsea have absolutely dominated Leeds! What has Calum McFarlane done differently to Liam Rosenior? 🤔

But what happens if McFarlane wins the remaining four games and guides Chelsea to FA Cup success over Man City? Some sections of the fanbase will surely be pushing for BlueCo to give McFarlane more time.

Chelsea have opened talks to hire Andoni Iraola, and plenty of other names are on the shortlist. But if McFarlane can win the five remaining games, including the FA Cup final, he might well have a chance.