Calum McFarlane Set for Pro Licence Move as Blackburn and Lincoln Monitor Chelsea Coach

Calum McFarlane, Chelsea’s interim head coach, is being encouraged to take his UEFA Pro Licence exam this summer after a host of EFL clubs have been monitoring his progress at Stamford Bridge, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The 40-year-old is approaching the end of his second spell in charge of the Blues, having stepped into the breach when Enzo Maresca was sacked on New Year's Day. 

After impressing with his tactical nous during last weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, which saw Chelsea control long periods of the game before suffering an agonising 1-0 defeat, SportsBoom has been told that some members of McFarlane’s inner circle now want him to complete his badges to maximise his current standing within the game.

PREMIER BLOCKER

Because he only holds an ‘A’ Licence, the former Southampton under-21’s chief is unable to take the reins of either a Premier League or Championship club for longer than three months at a time. 

But after receiving that on a Scottish FA course at Oriam 12 months ago, McFarlane is now eligible to apply for Europe’s highest coaching qualification, which would enable him to become a manager in his own right.

Blackburn Rovers and Lincoln City, who fear Michael Skubala will soon be poached by a rival after leading them to promotion last season, are among those thought to have added McFarlane’s name to the long list of candidates most hierarchies compile, given the increasingly high turnover of coaches within the English game.

HUNGRY APPETITE

With Xabi Alonso poised to become Rosenior’s permanent successor, McFarlane has been told by Stamford Bridge chiefs that his position within their academy moving forward is secure. 

However, although he is in no rush to leave west London, McFarlane’s appetite for a number one role has been whetted by his experiences in the capital. 

And that is expected to see him return to Scotland’s high-performance training complex on the outskirts of Edinburgh at the earliest possible opportunity, to open up further opportunities within the sport.