Calum McFarlane expects to take training on Monday as Chelsea move to appoint their new permanent head coach.
Standard Sport understands the Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior flew to London on Sunday afternoon for talks about becoming the new Chelsea head coach following the New Year’s Day departure of Enzo Maresca.
McFarlane was in the dugout at the Etihad as Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser in added time earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw at Man City on Sunday.
The 40-year-old, who is Chelsea’s Under-21s head coach, was originally given the brief to take charge of the first team for three days, including the City game, but is expecting to take training on Monday at Cobham.
He has said Chelsea directors told him on Thursday that the new permanent head coach “could be in” on Monday. It is understood that they were referring to Rosenior, who is poised for talks in the next 24 hours.
“We are training tomorrow,” McFarlane said after the City game. “So unless I'm told otherwise this evening, I'll be taking that session.
“My sole focus has obviously been on this game and the challenge that this is. But until I'm told otherwise, I'll lead the team. So for this moment, I'm taking the session tomorrow.”
McFarlane’s Under-21s face Benfica on Wednesday, the same night Chelsea’s first team are next in action, against Fulham in the Premier League.
Asked whether he will be back with the Under-21s by then, McFarlane said: “I think that will depend on when the new manager comes in. So if the new manager comes in before Wednesday, I'll be looking forward to taking the Under-21s against Benfica.
“I've got a really good Under-21s group that are doing well this year and a lot to play for in the second part of the season. And if he's not in and the club need me to continue and take the Fulham game, I'm more than happy to do that as well. So it's all dependent on what happens with the new manager.”
Strasbourg insist Rosenior will not sign any contract at Chelsea until they have their own replacement sorted. McFarlane has been linked with that job in some reports.
“That's the first I've heard of that,” he said. “So I have no idea.
“When I first took the [Chelsea caretaker] job, I was told that I will take the Manchester City game. So that was three days with the group. There's a chance that the new manager will be in on Monday. That's what I was told originally.
“Obviously, it's Sunday now. We've been solely focused on the game. So I'm sure I could get more information once I'm out of this press conference. But for all I know, the new manager will be in shortly and I will lead the team until he's in.”
