Reports that Lincoln City have been eyeing a move for Calum McFarlane, in the event of Michael Skubala’s departure, are not correct.
It’s felt that the club are still relaxed about the ongoing situation around our record-breaking head coach, but as with any organisation, succession planning is in place should the worst happen. I understand that reports linking the club to McFarlane are not correct, certainly not in any current context.
Bristol City have yet to make an announcement regarding their vacant position, but reports on Thursday suggested Tommy Elphick is going to be their pick. That would seemingly fit with no current announcement, given that Bournemouth have a game left to play before him and Andoni Iraola leave the club. That situation is still uncertain, but each passing day does make Lincoln City fans a little less nervous.
However, in the event of a departure, there will be a succession plan in place, which you’d imagine would include internal candidates as well as external. Despite his good work at Chelsea, McFarlane is not understood to be part of any immediate succession plan.
McFarlane has built his reputation steadily within Chelsea’s academy structure, developing a strong coaching profile long before stepping into the spotlight at Stamford Bridge. The 40-year-old progressed through youth coaching roles before twice taking interim charge of the senior side during a turbulent period for the club, earning praise for his organisation, tactical discipline and calm approach under pressure.
Although Chelsea fell to a narrow 1-0 FA Cup final defeat against Manchester City, his handling of the team during that spell drew attention from clubs across the EFL. While he is unlikely to step into the Chelsea role permanently, it may be a pathway into senior management lower down the EFL, as Brian Barry-Murphy did with Cardiff City.
While he currently holds a UEFA A Licence, McFarlane is expected to pursue his Pro Licence this summer, a step that would remove restrictions on managing permanently at Championship level. Reports have also linked him with interest from Blackburn Rovers, with his mix of academy development, modern tactical ideas and experience inside one of the country’s biggest clubs seemingly making him an increasingly attractive option for ambitious sides searching for a head coach.
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