Why Calum McFarlane's Case Proves The Lack of English Managers Isn't About Quality, It's About Opportunity

Why Calum McFarlane's Case Proves The Lack of English Managers Isn't About Quality, It's About Opportunity

When the controversial Enzo Maresca was sacked by Chelsea in the wake of mixed performances and some apparent behind-the-scenes chaos, many wondered what would happen to Chelsea in the immediate future.

In the end, it was U21 head coach Calum McFarlane who was tasked with leading the first-team squad until the appointment of a new manager.

His first task? Only travelling away to Man City to face off against Pep Guardiola, an easy task for your first ever game in senior management…

The build-up to the game saw media press conferences with journalists talking about his interim role as if it was merely charity work and a reaction from football fans that condemned the young coach to defeat before gameday even arrived.

But whilst we were all arguing over how far Chelsea have fallen as a club and the massacre that was awaiting them at the hands of Pep, McFarlane was meticulously planning for a game that would see him defy all odds and write himself into footballing folklore forever.

In fact, what followed was more than just a result; it was a message to those who govern the development of football in England, proving that everything we think we know about coaching in this country may not be as true as we are led to believe.

Calum McFarlane's Journey

McFarlane isn't one of these stories of an ex-pro being fast-tracked through their coaching badges and being afforded opportunities merely based on reputation.

In fact, his route to get to the point of being trusted with a Premier League game is one of hard work, belief and a genuine talent for coaching.

telling my grandchildren about the calum mcfarlane era pic.twitter.com/k8doVotAb5

— ⭐️ zigga zagga ⭐️ (@celery_brigade) January 4, 2026

The Englishman followed that with a three-year spell in Norway, learning a new footballing culture and climbing a few more hard-fought rungs up the coaching ladder.

When he returned to England, youth coaching roles at clubs like Fulham and Crystal Palace saw McFarlane begin getting experience that would allow his steady progression to continue, eventually heading to Manchester City's youth system and implementing his skills to great success.

Two years at Southampton preceded a move to the Chelsea ranks just this summer which, little did McFarlane know at the time, would lead to the opportunity of a lifetime much sooner than he could have ever imagined.

McFarlane's Result Was No Fluke

Yes, it is just one result, and yes, you could well be of the opinion that the 1-1 draw McFarlane managed was a fluke – but I don't believe that to be the case.

After Chelsea's first half's shortcomings, everything pointed toward Man City coming away with an easy victory, but McFarlane didn't let that happen.

He showed the ability to adapt on the fly, making a change at halftime that added an extra man in midfield, with Andrey Santos coming on for Estevao.

🗣️ "The most important thing is the quality of performance in that second half, the character that the lads showed... that should be the narrative."

Calum McFarlane reflects on his #PL managerial debut and 1-1 draw at the Etihad with @AndyKerrtv.#beINPL #MCICHE #CFC pic.twitter.com/YBWuVZ4pMC

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 4, 2026

This ultimately allowed Chelsea to affect the game in higher areas, preventing the buildup through the thirds which had caused them to look vulnerable in the first half, and allowing a greater attacking threat to be posed.

It was an exceptional tactical tweak, one which could well have reaped rewards long before the 90+4 equaliser had Chelsea been sharper in the final third.

And whilst it may not appear like much on the surface, what it did show is that Calum McFarlane has the ability, that instinct, to be able to turn games on their head with a small shift in impetus.

Quality is There, Opportunity Isn't

McFarlane is a rare case.

The number of English managers in jobs at Premier League top clubs is astoundingly low.

When Eddie Howe won the Carabao Cup at Newcastle last year, he became the first English manager to win a top-tier domestic trophy since 2008, when Harry Redknapp won the FA Cup with Portsmouth.

Not only that, but to this day, no English manager has ever won the Premier League, yet another damning statistic.

The media laughed at him all week. The fans had no hope.

Calum McFarlane deserves credit for getting something out of nothing against Pep at the Etihad. pic.twitter.com/PrlB0ekEDR

— 💫 (@iChelseaTweets) January 4, 2026

It wasn't just a lucky outcome. It was a small tactical shift, born from years of dedication and hard work, which made a mockery of the modern development system in one fell swoop.

How many times do we see managers whose coaching pedigree is merely a glorified knowledge of the game due to ex-professional status fail miserably at the first sign of adversity?

Think Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney and even all-time greats in other countries like Andrea Pirlo – they all failed.

Yet, the approach of the English FA and governing bodies who can make a difference to coaching development remains the same – lacklustre.

It is lazy to continually allow those with a name to jump the queue and get a chance at the top level when they haven't put the hard yards in, no matter how much they may want to do so.

And it is said laziness which has led to the, quite frankly, unacceptable facts laid out earlier being a reality.

If it continues in the manner it has, the English pyramid will struggle to be sustainable, as those who have aspirations of being a football coach turn away due to not feeling they will ever have a proper opportunity to show their worth on a big stage.

But that doesn't have to be the case.

In this short but sweet stint, Calum McFarlane has proved what is possible with a mere chance. He has endeared himself to the footballing world and made a name for himself overnight.

Should he want to head into senior management permanently, there is no doubt clubs in the English divisions will be looking intently at bringing him in.

He is an exemplary figure that shows the lack of English coaches has never been about a lack of quality and always about a lack of opportunity.

And maybe, although unlikely, this case could signal an upward trajectory in the future unearthing of talent within English coaching.