Austin MacPhee, the 46‑year‑old set‑piece coach who has been with Aston Villa for five years, is preparing to leave the club. His departure comes after a period in which Villa transformed into one of Europe’s most creative teams from dead‑ball situations.
The English coach has attracted attention from several top‑flight clubs, most notably Chelsea in the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. Villa have made concerted efforts to retain him, but MacPhee has indicated that he is seeking a new challenge.
MacPhee’s path to Villa began in August 2021 after a stint as an assistant to Scotland manager Steve Clarke and earlier roles with FC Midtjylland, Hearts and the Northern Ireland national team set‑up.
A legacy of creativity
During his time in Birmingham, MacPhee oversaw a remarkable surge in set‑piece productivity, with Villa scoring 74 goals from corners and free‑kicks over three seasons and sharing the continental lead with Arsenal last term. One of those strikes proved decisive in the Europa League final against Freiburg.
His work not only added goals but also reshaped the team’s tactical identity, turning dead‑ball scenarios into a reliable source of scoring chances. As the transfer window approaches, the former Scottish assistant will weigh offers that could see him reunite with a Premier League side or take on a new challenge in the Middle East, leaving Villa to find a successor to maintain the set‑piece momentum.