MacPhee joined in August 2021 and has helped Villa establish themselves as one of the most creative clubs in Europe Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Austin MacPhee will leave his role as Aston Villa’s set-piece coach after five years after Chelsea triggered his Villa Park release clause.
The 46-year-old has had interest from two Premier League clubs including Chelsea, alongside interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Villa had made attempts to convince the long-serving coach to stay, but the coach is seeking a new challenge after half a decade at Villa Park.
MacPhee joined in August 2021 and has had two spells in an assistant coach role on the international stage, with Scotland under Steve Clarke for three years until 2024 and with Portugal where he was appointed last February.
Villa established themselves as one of the most creative clubs in Europe last season, scoring the joint-most number of goals from set-pieces (29) alongside Arsenal. Under MacPhee’s guidance over the last three seasons, they converted 74 goals from dead-ball situations, with their variety standing out.
One such goal came in the Europa League final, which they won against Freiburg, in the lead-up to Youri Tielemans’ volley to open the scoring.
Before joining Villa, MacPhee worked for a variety of clubs including FC Midtjylland and Hearts, alongside a stint on Michael O’Neill’s coaching staff at Northern Ireland.
Jul 24, 2026
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