McFarlane insists crisis-hit Chelsea remains a desirable destination for prospective bosses

Chelsea's interim coach, Calum McFarlane, firmly believes that the club remains a highly appealing destination for prospective managers, despite the turmoil that has characterized their current campaign.

n

McFarlane is currently in his second stint as the Blues' stand-in manager, having taken the reins once again following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior on April 22, just 106 days into his tenure.

n

Rosenior's brief spell at the helm was preceded by Enzo Maresca's 18-month reign, which came to an end in January amidst hints of a lack of support from the club's hierarchy.

n

Chelsea's owners, BlueCo, are now on the hunt for their sixth permanent manager since acquiring the club from Roman Abramovich in 2022, a search that may be complicated by the team's recent managerial instability.

n

The west London club has had a total of eight managers over the past decade, excluding interim appointments, which could potentially create a perception problem for co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali as they seek to attract a new manager to Stamford Bridge.

n

However, McFarlane, who has guided Chelsea to the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 16, is confident that the club's allure remains strong, citing its rich history of success and exceptional facilities.

n

According to McFarlane, the club's stature and resources make it an attractive prospect for top managers, saying "I don't think I have to sell that in all honesty, it's one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a great history of winning," and adding "We've got some unbelievable players, some of the best players in the world, great training facilities."

n

Chelsea have been linked to several high-profile managers, including Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Fulham's Marco Silva, and former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, as they seek to find a suitable replacement for Rosenior.

n

The club's chances of luring a top-quality manager may be hindered by their uncertain Champions League prospects, with McFarlane's side currently sitting eighth in the Premier League and facing an uphill battle to qualify for Europe's elite competition.

n

Chelsea are 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa with just four games remaining, starting with Monday's home match against Nottingham Forest, and McFarlane has emphasized the need for his team to maintain a winning streak.

n

McFarlane noted that "We just have to keep winning our games," and observed that the team's mood has been lifted following a recent run of losses.

n

Reports of discord within the Chelsea squad during Rosenior's tenure have been countered by McFarlane, who pointed to the recent trip taken by Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella, and Joao Pedro to watch tennis in Madrid as evidence of the team's unity.

n

McFarlane views this trip as a positive sign, saying "It says a lot of the group that they go away together," and adding "I love that they spend time together," and "They went to Madrid to watch tennis, I don't see an issue."