Chelsea: New boss Calum McFarlane’s remarkable rise

The softly-spoken McFarlane is an enigma. He only has a small social media presence. He has established a successful football coaching career away from the limelight.

He grew up in Forest Hill, south London, and was, in his words, a “failed footballer”, who went into youth coaching.

and Fulham‘s academy, McFarlane began coaching Lambeth Tigers.

There were two boys from Norway at the club who happened to be the sons of former Tromso player Thomas Hafstad.

“In 2012 I spent a year in London observing academies at different clubs in England,” Hafstad, who played 260 games for the northernmost football club in the world, told BBC Sport.

“I could tell right away Calum was a very good coach. I listened to the players – young boys aged 11 and 12 – and really understood how to work with them.”

Hafstad, now technical director of Tromso, said it was easy to see that McFarlane “would be a great asset.”

“Even then he had a strong knowledge of the game, but what stood out the most was his man-management,” he added.

Hafstad took McFarlane to Tromso, initially as an under-14 coach.

“He did very well in two years with us,” Hafstad said.

“He moved up to coach the under-19s and even took first-team sessions. We were in European competitions at the time, so it was a strong period for the club.

Chelseaacademy in November last year, so we still have a close connection. I have no problem believing that he can become a top manager in the near future.”