Chelsea in talks to hire Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee

Published Jul 27, 11:11 AM UTC

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Chelsea are in negotiations to hire highly regarded set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa, but face competition from other Premier League clubs and Saudi Pro League teams. The 46-year-old Scottish coach, who also worked with Portugal's national team under Roberto Martinez, has a release clause in his contract. Under MacPhee's guidance, Aston Villa scored more set-piece goals than any other team in Europe's top five leagues during the 2023-24 season and ranked among the top five the following season, finishing joint-top with Arsenal in the Premier League last season. MacPhee would be one of several staff members leaving Villa Park this summer after the club won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League under Unai Emery. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has space in his backroom staff as current set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva moves into a behind-the-scenes role. The news comes after Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117m, with Alejandro Garnacho moving in the opposite direction on loan.

Source report

Image caption: Villa have flourished at set-pieces under MacPhee's guidance

By Nizaar Kinsella, Football reporter

Chelsea are in talks to sign highly regarded set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa, but face competition from other Premier League clubs as well as Saudi Pro League teams.

Villa would be due compensation for MacPhee, with his contract understood to have a specified release clause.

The Scottish coach, 46, has combined his role at Villa Park with a similar position for the Portugal national team over the past five years under Roberto Martinez, who resigned after the World Cup.

Key Achievements

Villa scored more goals from set-pieces than any other team in Europe's top five leagues during the 2023-24 season.
They ranked among the top five a season later and finished joint-top with Arsenal in the Premier League last season.

MacPhee would be one of a number of staff members to leave Villa Park this summer after helping the club win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League under manager Unai Emery.

Chelsea's Backroom Changes

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has space in his current backroom staff, as previous set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva — who joined from Brentford for £750,000 in 2024 — is moving away from a touchline role into a more behind-the-scenes position.

Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117m this week, with Alejandro Garnacho moving in the other direction on an initial loan that will likely become permanent through an option to buy.

Source

BBC SportWestern

Original headline: Chelsea in talks for Villa set-piece guru MacPhee

Original language: EN-GB

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Chelsea in talks to sign Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee

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Chelsea Aston Villa Xabi Alonso Premier League