![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\")
Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nCalum McFarlane won over large sections of the Chelsea fanbase after guiding the Blues to a brilliant 1-0 win over Leeds United \u2013 but before the match, Joe Cole had to defend him.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United was McFarlane\u2019s third game as a senior professional manager. He managed two games as an interim at Chelsea in January, previously manager at Croydon.<\/p>\n McFarlane had worked in Man City\u2019s academy before joining Chelsea as the club\u2019s U21 manager. But McFarlane could never have imagined ending the season, guiding Chelsea into an FA Cup semi-final.<\/p>\n Or is there a future with BlueCo at Chelsea?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Speaking on The Dressing Room podcast, Cole says he spoke to some Chelsea fans before the game. He says he had to \u201cput them straight\u201d, because they were not having McFarlane before Chelsea beat Leeds.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve had a bounce; they clearly like the feeling of having Calum. I spoke to him after the game, he\u2019s been Croydon manager and worked in the academy. This is a huge jump,\u201d Cole said about McFarlane.<\/p>\n \u201cI was speaking to some Chelsea fans, and I had to put them straight. Some were saying \u2018McFarlane, he doesn\u2019t deserve it, etc.\u2019, I said \u2018listen, the kid\u2019s clearly a strong dreamer, he\u2019s gone from there to there.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a short period of time, and whatever you say, he\u2019s managing Chelsea and he\u2019s taken them to the FA Cup final\u2019. I like the story, it ain\u2019t perfect, they\u2019re used to seeing Ancelotti, Mourinho, Conte.\u201d<\/p>\n McFarlane has won fans over but the firm belief is that the club\u2019s interim manager will not be guiding Chelsea into the new season. Understandably so, Chelsea need an experienced manager to come in.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\nDISCUSS: BlueCo must leave for Chelsea to be successful again\u2026<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/TWO-LINE-quote-graphic-2-819x1024.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\nCole defends McFarlane in disagreement with Chelsea fans<\/h2>\n
![\"Calum](\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2273234542-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/div>Does McFarlane have a shot at the Chelsea job permanently?<\/h2>\n
Chelsea have absolutely dominated Leeds! What has Calum McFarlane done differently to Liam Rosenior? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Chelsea's](\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272667018-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/div>