We need your support — Chelsea caretaker manager McFarlane begs fans ahead of Man City clash

Enzo Maresca's temporary replacement, Calum McFarlane, has asked Chelsea fans for support as the Blues prepare for a daunting trip to face Manchester City.

The Blues travel to the Etihad in a state of transition following the departure of Maresca, who left his post on Thursday after 18 months at the helm.

McFarlane, who typically manages the Under-21s squad, has been promoted to first-team duties and is tasked with navigating a difficult fixture against Pep Guardiola's formidable side.

It has been a turbulent start to the year for Chelsea, and the club must quickly move on from Maresca's exit to refocus on their on-field performance.

Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League, the Blues have secured only one victory in their last seven league matches and cannot afford to lose more ground in the competitive race for a Champions League spot.

The challenge is compounded by the absence of key midfielder Moises Caicedo, who is suspended for the match after picking up a booking against Bournemouth.

Thrown into the deep end, McFarlane addressed the media for the first time on Friday and delivered a clear message to the club's supporters.

"We need your support, the players need your support, staff need your support," he told Sky Sports.

While McFarlane readies the team for Sunday's clash, Chelsea's board is actively pursuing a permanent successor to Maresca, with Liam Rosenior reportedly the leading candidate for the job.

Rosenior is the current manager of Strasbourg, another club under the BlueCo ownership umbrella, and sources indicate that negotiations are progressing smoothly.

The 41-year-old is preparing his French side for their upcoming game against Nice, but if talks continue to go well, he is expected to be appointed as the new Chelsea manager.