CHELSEA INTERIM BOSS MCFARLANE URGES FA CUP FINAL VICTORY OVER MANCHESTER CITY TO SALVAGE SEASON
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Agency Report
Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane has called on his team to rescue their disappointing campaign by defeating Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Chelsea are enduring a difficult run of form, with no win in their last seven Premier League matches, leaving them in ninth place and virtually out of contention for Champions League qualification next season.
McFarlane, currently in his second spell as interim boss after stepping up from the club’s Under-21 setup, has taken charge following managerial changes that saw Enzo Maresca and later Liam Rosenior depart earlier in the season.
Despite reaching multiple FA Cup finals in recent years, Chelsea have not lifted the trophy since 2018, and have suffered final defeats in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Speaking ahead of the Wembley showdown, McFarlane admitted the club’s league form has fallen below expectations but stressed the importance of silverware.
“Our recent form in the league has been way below the standard we’d expect and that we’d shown previously. It’s an FA Cup final, so we want to win it,” he said.
“It’s a massive competition. When you’re at a club of this magnitude and the history that this club has got in this competition and winning silverware, there’s always pressure. There’s pressure to win every game. You have to accept that and embrace that.”
McFarlane acknowledged the scale of the occasion, saying he expects to experience a wide range of emotions at Wembley but intends to remain composed.
Although relatively inexperienced at senior level, he pointed to Chelsea’s semi-final win over Leeds as evidence of the team’s capability under pressure. However, he also noted their recent struggles against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, including a 3–0 defeat in April and a winless run in 13 meetings since the 2021 Champions League final.
“They’ve got the belief they can beat anyone. We just know that we have to be the best version of ourselves,” he said.
“They’re an exceptional side, with an exceptional coach and exceptional players. They’re going to be a challenge, but we also have some really good players. These players have shown that if they’re at their best, they can beat anyone.”
McFarlane also declined to comment on speculation linking Chelsea with a permanent managerial appointment, including former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso.
“There’s a lot of names linked with the job. It’s not really my place to say who should get it, or who’s a good manager, who’s not a good manager,” he added.
AFP
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