Calum McFarlane will be waking up on Monday morning relieved that Chelsea are in the FA Cup final after beating Leeds United on Sunday. But it might not have been him standing in the dugout.
McFarlane got everything right. His tactics paid off, his three changes worked, and he reinjected a gritty side to Chelsea that had gone missing under Liam Rosenior; even street-smart, some would say.
Pat Nevin may say it was gamesmanship, but Robert Sanchez going down to stop the game and nullify Leeds’ growing momentum worked. Even McFarlane himself was snappy in the face of Ethan Ampadu.
Chelsea’s player ratings v Leeds: Do YOU agree?
Gusto and Sanchez excellent!
Chelsea’s hierarchy decided to stick with McFarlane for a second spell. He was in the building; it was the simple choice, and yet, a report now claims McFarlane was one of four interim options for the owners.
Chelsea could have re-hired Roberto Di Matteo as interim boss
According to The Mail’s Kieran Gill, McFarlane was one of four options that Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the five sporting directors could have picked. Another was former Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo.
Currently, Di Matteo is working as a club ambassador with Chelsea. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, also a club ambassador, was considered for the final few games of the season. John Terry was also an option.
Terry himself said Chelsea had told him he would not be a part of McFarlane’s staff. Ultimately, the win over Leeds will see the Chelsea hierarchy feel their decision to stick with McFarlane has paid off, so far.
Does Calum McFarlane have a chance in the long-term?
Should McFarlane secure four Premier League wins and beat Man City in the FA Cup final, then there will almost certainly be a clamour among supporters for McFarlane to get the job beyond the summer.
DISCUSS: Sanchez should be Chelsea’s no.1 next season…
Calum McFarlane is a big fan.
McFarlane is well-liked among supporters and certainly in the dressing room. Reece James pushed the interim boss towards the supporters after the match to allow McFarlane to receive an ovation from fans.
His tactics earned a clean sheet, something Rosenior only managed four times in 23 games. The players are playing for McFarlane. But right now, as things stand, Chelsea will appoint a new boss this summer.
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