Everything you need to know about Calum McFarlane, the youth coach who will be in the dugout for Chelsea when they take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday
Calum McFarlane is set to be in temporary charge when Chelsea face Manchester City(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
All you need to know about Calum McFarlane who will be taking Chelsea's pre-match press conference for the Manchester City clash, and in the dugout when the Blues go to the Etihad...
Calum McFarlane's early years in football were spent as a youth player, though he did not pursue a high-profile career as a professional footballer in the top divisions. Instead, he transitioned into the technical and coaching side of the game at a relatively young age to build his reputation.
Before arriving at Chelsea, he built a solid foundation within the elite academy systems of Manchester City and Southampton. At City, he served as an assistant manager for the Under-18s, where he was highly regarded for his tactical input.
McFarlane joined the Chelsea Academy in July 2025, meaning he has been with the club for approximately six months. Despite his relatively short tenure, he has integrated quickly and described feeling "part of the family" within the Cobham setup.
Under his leadership, the Chelsea Under-21s have enjoyed a string of impressive results in the Premier League 2. Highlights include a dominant 4-1 victory over Reading and a controlled win against last season's champions, Manchester City.
He has overseen an exceptional run in the UEFA Youth League with the Under-19 squad. The team climbed to the top of their group table following a commanding 5-0 win over Qarabag and a notable 3-1 victory against Atalanta.
McFarlane has been instrumental in the development of exciting young talents such as Reggie Walsh and Shim Mheuka. He has spoken with great pride about seeing these players earn opportunities with the senior squad and represent their countries at youth international levels.
His approach is heavily centred on building strong personal relationships and getting to know the person behind the player. He emphasises "consistency in attitude" and encourages his players to view the pressures of professional football as a privilege.
The Chelsea hierarchy views McFarlane as a "rising star" within the coaching world who aligns perfectly with their multi-club development model. Their high regard for him was evident when they "reluctantly agreed" to let him speak with Celtic regarding a coaching role earlier in the season.
He typically favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allows for a balance between defensive stability and attacking fluidity. This tactical setup has helped his youth sides maintain a high points-per-game average across domestic and European competitions.
His appointment as interim manager for the Manchester City match is a testament to the club's trust in his ability to handle elite-level pressure. He is expected to bridge the gap and maintain stability while the search for Enzo Maresca’s permanent successor continues.
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