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Chelsea<\/b><\/a> interim manager Calum McFarlane admits it’s been a “whirlwind” 24 hours since he was named as temporary replacement for Enzo Maresca.<\/b><\/p>\n Italian Maresca parted company with the Blues on Thursday, 18 months after replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. <\/p>\n McFarlane, Chelsea<\/a>‘s U21s head coach, was named as interim manager and will take charge of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City<\/a>. <\/p>\n Such was the unexpected nature of McFarlane’s appointment, the Englishman’s training ground pass had to be amended to grant him access to the club’s press conference room on Friday morning. <\/p>\n “It’s been a crazy 24 hours, a whirlwind, as you can imagine, but also really enjoyable and really exciting,” said McFarlane.<\/p>\n “I can only feel positive about it. It’s an amazing experience.”<\/p>\n He added: “I am quite relaxed. I am sure as we get closer to the game it will become more nerve-wracking. I haven’t worked at this level before but the lads have been brilliant and we will do this together.”<\/p>\n Maresca’s departure came after a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth<\/a> on Tuesday, which left the Blues 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal<\/a>. <\/p>\n It means McFarlane’s debut as a manager of a senior team will come against Pep Guardiola, who celebrated managing his 1,000th match as a head coach in November. <\/p>\n “The team needs to be ready and prepared and our role is giving the players the support they need to go and execute,” he said. <\/p>\n “I wouldn’t say we have nothing to lose. We have to give a real good account of ourselves.”<\/p>\n Chelsea<\/a> travel to Manchester three places and 11 points behind second-placed City. <\/p>\n Reports following Maresca’s departure suggested the Italian had held talks with City over succeeding Guardiola, though the former Leicester City boss denied the claims. <\/p>\n “From my point of view Chelsea<\/a> have lost an incredible manager and an incredible person,” Guardiola said on Maresca’s departure.<\/p>\n