 In June 1933, McLachlan was appointed as a player-coach at Football League newcomers Chester, who were about to embark on only their third Football League season.Throughout the 1930s, Chester never finished outside of the top ten in Division Three North; their lowest finish came in 1933–34, when they came in 10th place.McLachlan had a spell as player-manager with French side Le Havre in 1934–35.