Chelsea in talks to sign Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, who helped Villa to 29 goals last season
The Scottish coach is leaving Villa after five years and seeking a new challenge, with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr also interested.
Departure from Villa Park
Austin MacPhee is leaving Aston Villa after five years as the club’s set-piece coach. The 46-year-old Scottish specialist joined in August 2021 and is now seeking a new challenge. Villa have made attempts to keep him, but MacPhee has already said goodbye to the players according to Portuguese outlet SAPO. The club will be due compensation through a specified release clause in his contract.
Set-piece dominance
Under MacPhee, Villa became one of Europe’s most creative teams from dead-ball situations. In the 2023-24 season they scored more set-piece goals than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues. They followed that with a top-five ranking and then in 2025-26 finished joint-top with Arsenal on 29 goals. Over his last three seasons, Villa converted 74 goals from set-pieces. One of them came in the Europa League final against Freiburg, when Youri Tielemans volleyed in the opener from a rehearsed routine. Villa also won the Europa Conference League and qualified for the Champions League during MacPhee’s tenure.
- Joined Aston Villa as set-piece coach
- Assistant coach with Scotland under Steve Clarke
- Appointed Portugal assistant coach under Roberto Martínez
- Villa top Europe’s five leagues for set-piece goals (2023-24 season)
- 29 set-piece goals, joint-top with Arsenal (2025-26 season)
- Reports of departure; Chelsea and Al Nassr interested
International roles
MacPhee has combined his club job with national-team work. He was an assistant coach under Steve Clarke with Scotland from 2021 until 2024. In February 2025 he joined Roberto Martínez’s Portugal staff and held that role through the 2026 World Cup, after which Martínez resigned.
Chelsea’s vacancy
Chelsea have space on the bench after the previous set-piece coach, Bernardo Cueva, moved into a behind-the-scenes position. New manager Xabi Alonso is therefore looking to bring in a specialist, and MacPhee fits the profile. The two clubs have already done business this summer: Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Villa for £117m, with Alejandro Garnacho moving the other way on an initial loan that includes an option to buy.
Next steps
Talks are ongoing between Chelsea and MacPhee, but the coach also has options from other Premier League clubs and from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. No deal has been finalised, and Villa would need to receive the compensation outlined in his contract before he can join a new team.
