Following Chelsea’s decision to sack Liam Rosenior, U21’s boss Calum McFarlane will take charge on an interim basis for the Blues’ FA Cup semi-final against Leeds this weekend. He will continue his tenure as interim manager until the end of the season.
Here is everything McFarlane said in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon…
Embed from Getty ImagesHere we go again, under slightly different circumstances. You’ve had a front row seat to what’s gone on in the last few months. In your mind, what’s gone wrong and how are you going to fix that?
Yeah, it’s not my place to say what’s gone wrong or what’s gone right. My full focus is on Leeds. We’ve got a massive, massive game on Sunday. So all I’m thinking about is Leeds as a team, weaknesses, strengths, our strengths, our weaknesses, and how we’re going to prepare for that game. That’s literally what my focus is.
You say that you don’t want to dwell on what’s gone wrong, but you’re part of that coaching setup where things have gone wrong — unless you know what they are, how do you put them right?
I didn’t say I don’t know what they are. I said I’m not going to discuss them today and all our focus is on improving the team performance for Leeds.
Have you had to have a clear-the-air meeting? What have you said to them about the past, where you are now, what you hope for the rest of the season?
We haven’t had a clear-the-air meeting. We have got the group focused for Sunday. Spoken about the game plan and how we’re going to approach the game both in and out of possession. And it’s really important that we have a real, real focus for the game on Sunday. We can’t be thinking about anything else. What’s gone on in the past doesn’t need to be spoken about. It’s just everything geared towards Sunday.
Is there anything within that that needs addressing to lift the mood?
Yeah, we definitely need to improve the performance. The performance against Brighton wasn’t good enough. We know that. And it’s about trying to figure out the reasons why from a technical and tactical perspective and make sure that the group are in a better place to execute the game plan on Sunday.
Technical and tactical is one thing. The mentality of these players and playing at the level that we know they can is something completely different. How big a part has that played over the past few weeks?
Yeah, there isn’t any — I’m not saying technical or tactical is more important than physical, psychological, whatever you want to call it. They’re all important and we need to make sure we’re right in every area for the game on Sunday. Playing a really good side and we need to be at our best to beat them.
Have you spoken to Liam?
I spoke to Liam.
Did he have a chance to say goodbye to the players?
Yeah, I’m not sure how he’s done that or how that’s been done. I spoke to him on the phone on Wednesday, I think it was.
How was he?
Yeah, he was good. It was a good conversation. I’ve got a lot of respect for Liam. I didn’t know him before he came to the club and he welcomed me in brilliantly and made me a part of his staff. So I have a really good relationship with Liam and I’m gutted that it hasn’t worked out.
It was Man City away last time for you, now it’s Wembley. Huge game for the club — have you had many visits there?
I haven’t coached at Wembley. I’ve been to Wembley. I was at Southampton when we got to the playoff final, so that was probably the most recent time I was at Wembley.
Looking forward to Sunday?
Yeah, everyone’s excited. The whole group, the whole club. It’s a massive game. Great opportunity to get to an FA Cup final. It’s why you do the job we do. So yeah, we’re all really excited and looking forward to the game.
What did you make of the performance on Tuesday night? It looked like the players weren’t playing for the manager or coaching staff.
Yeah, the performance wasn’t good enough. Everyone associated with the club knows that. The players know that. And I thought Brighton were very good on the night and I don’t think they’ve got enough credit. I think they’re in a really good place. They’re a really good side with a really good manager. But yeah, our performance wasn’t good enough and we’re going to address that on Sunday and make sure that we perform to our level that we know that this group’s capable of.
Is it fair to say the players weren’t playing for the management?
Who’s to say? It’s not anything I would comment on.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve got now?
Making sure that the lads are prepared for the strengths of Leeds and making sure we’re ready to expose the weaknesses. There’s still a lot of belief in this group. I know it’s been tough recently, but we’ve had some good games this year, good performances against top sides in recent history. So there’s a lot of talent. Some of those players in there are some of the best players in the world for their position. So there’s still a belief within us. We can turn this round and get our season back on track.
Is one of the hardest things getting everybody on board and believing in you?
No, I have a really good relationship with the players. Our process will be the same as when I did interim before and I’ll work the way I know how to work. Everyone’s on board and we’re ready for Sunday.
How will it be different from what Liam did?
I don’t think I’m going to talk tactically today. I’ll keep that private, but we’re ready for Sunday.
Is the group united?
Yeah, we’ve spoken to the group about the remaining games and what’s still to play for. From my perspective, the whole group are united in the fact that we want to try and win every single game from now to the end of the year. Make it as simple as that and we start that on Sunday. So again, the same thing I’m saying to you guys is what I’m saying to the players — let’s just get the next three days right, make sure we’re ready for Leeds and performing well, and we’ll go day by day.
Do the players have to take responsibility as well?
Yeah, of course they’re on the pitch. They’re top players that can perform at a really high level and that hasn’t happened for whatever reason. They’ll take their responsibility in that of course, but you’ve got to adapt. You’ve got to move on. You’ve got to be ready for the next challenge and the next challenge is Leeds.
Any team news?
Yeah, unfortunately won’t play for us this season. He’s going to be out for a little bit of time. That’s really unfortunate, especially for someone so young and so talented, but we’re here to support him and be around him. João and Cole — they trained, they’re in a good place. We don’t know yet, so we’ve got another day tomorrow where we’ll have a look at them and make a call after that.
Any chance they start?
Yeah, we hope so. They’re going to train tomorrow and we’ll make a call after that. So yeah, we’re hopeful. One or two of them pushing for a start.
Could he make the World Cup?
I’m not sure on that if I’m honest. I just know that he won’t be available for us. I’m sure he’s very hopeful he can make the World Cup, but I don’t know on that.
What can you take from your Wembley experience?
Yeah, Leeds and Chelsea is always a big game. There’s a rivalry there for various reasons. I haven’t spoken to anyone about what it’s like to lead a team out at Wembley. For me it’s just a game of football. It’s 11 v 11 and you try and make it as normal as possible and stick to your day-to-day processes to hopefully get the best performance and result.
Will we see that fluid attack again?
Yeah, we want to take control of the game. We want to play our game. We want to play the game that suits the players in our group the best. So yeah, we want to be aggressive and attack the game.
Who takes penalties if needed?
I’m not sure on that one.
How prepared are you for this job compared to last time?
Yeah, it’s still a whirlwind when what happens happens. No one expected that to happen, but I think you made a valid point. I’ve worked with the group for three or four months now. I’ve got relationships with the players. I’ve got a better understanding of where they’re at mentally and psychologically. So it’s a very different task.
What happens to you beyond this season?
All I’ve been made aware of is that I’ll take the team on an interim basis until now to the end of the season. Beyond that, I’m not sure. Like I said, we’re just focused on day-to-day and game-to-game.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Martin
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