It is intriguing to see a relatively unknown coach take on a role as significant as leading Chelsea, even on an interim basis.
It has been an exercise in learning about a coach about whom little is publicly known, but who appears to have steadied the ship following a 1–0 win over Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final.
McFarlane is still attracting criticism from some disgruntled supporters online, but he has handled it with apparent composure.
When questioned by BBC Sport, he said he had not seen the criticism and was focused instead on his work and his family life.
That measured approach appears to be benefiting the players, helping to dampen some of the noise around a club that remains on a five-game winless and goalless run in the Premier League.
In other news, it is pleasing for all involved with Chelsea to see captain Reece James and arguably star centre-back Levi Colwill also in contention for Monday's match against Nottingham Forest.
