Our Under-21s head coach has stepped up to prepare the men’s team for tomorrow’s trip to the Etihad Stadium following Enzo Maresca's departure on New Year's Day.

His first time sitting on the bench for a senior game may have come at an unexpected time, with just a few days to work with the squad before leading them against Man City, but McFarlane has a wealth of experience across football to call upon.

Before his debut in the dugout on Sunday, he described how he went from calling time on his chances of becoming a professional footballer himself, to his current role as Chelsea Under-21s head coach.

‘I’ve only been here for six months, I joined in the summer from Southampton where I spent two years as the Under-21s coach and the Under-18s coach.

‘Before that I was at Manchester City for three years in various different roles with the academy, and before that I was in Norway for three years at Tromso. Previously I’d been at Fulham and Crystal Palace.

‘Like most failed footballers, I wanted to be a footballer, but wasn’t good enough. I decided I was going to take the coaching road early. I first started coaching at 16 years old, so it’s been a long journey.

‘I’ve got a really wide array of coaching experience, from working in primary schools and Sunday league clubs and non-league clubs, to academy football with different age groups. So I’ve got a wide array of experience and I’m really enjoying the role that I’m doing with the Under-21s.’

McFarlane went on to reiterate that he is just taking things as they come during this spell working with the senior team, explaining why he is enjoying his first season working in the Chelsea Academy and what convinced him to join the Blues last summer.

‘I like to live in the moment and I’m really enjoying the role I’m in at the moment. I’ve always just thought about my development, my learning, my growth,' he continued.

‘I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last six months, I think the Under-21s are in a really good place, we’ve had some great results, we’ve got a lot to play for in the second half of the season.

‘Having worked in academy football for nearly 15 years now, Chelsea have always been one of the leading academies. I’d seen the players who have gone on to have great careers, I’d played against Chelsea teams, I could see the quality of the programme and the project.

‘It’s just an exciting thing to be a part of. That chance to work with the elite talent in youth football was probably the biggest appeal for me.’