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The latest on Chelsea's search for a new permanent head coach following the dramatic departure of Enzo Maresca last week
Calum McFarlane is expected to take charge of Chelsea against Fulham on Wednesday evening as Liam Rosenior prepares to bid farewell to Strasbourg.
McFarlane took interim charge of his first-ever senior match on Sunday evening as the Blues picked up an unlikely point away at Manchester City. While the game at the Etihad Stadium was going on, Rosenior flew to London to finalise his move to Stamford Bridge from Strasbourg.
Rosenior held talks with Chelsea on Monday about taking the head coach role following Enzo Maresca's dramatic departure on New Year's Day and is expected to sign a long-term contract with the west London club.
The 41-year-old has now flown back to France to hold a press conference on Tuesday morning, in what is likely to be a farewell to the Strasbourg fans before joining Chelsea.
It is now unlikely that Rosenior will be in charge of the Blues by the time they make the short trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Wednesday night.
McFarlane took training on Monday and is expected to do the same on Tuesday as he prepares the side for Premier League action later in the week.
The interim Chelsea head coach will take Tuesday afternoon’s pre-Fulham press conference at the club's training base in Cobham, after telling reporters on Sunday he was unsure what the plans were for the week ahead.
Strasbourg are already preparing for life without the Chelsea-bound Rosenior, with the French club, who are also owned by BlueCo, working on appointing a replacement for the 41-year-old coach.
Former Bournemouth and Wolves boss Gary O'Neil is a serious contender for the soon-to-be vacant role with Strasbourg weighing up their options.
O'Neil has been without a job in football since leaving Wolves towards the end of 2024 but is keen to return to management.
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