Chelsea are in discussions to appoint Aston Villa set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee as Xabi Alonso continues to reshape his coaching staff ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 46-year-old is one of the most highly regarded dead-ball coaches in European football and has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs as well as teams in the Saudi Pro League. Aston Villa would be entitled to compensation if MacPhee leaves, with his contract understood to contain a release clause.
MacPhee has spent the past five years combining his role at Villa Park with duties as a coach for the Portugal national team under Roberto Martinez. Following Martinez’s departure after the World Cup, MacPhee’s future has come under increased scrutiny as clubs look to strengthen their backroom teams.
His reputation has been built on Villa’s exceptional record from set-pieces. During the 2023-24 campaign, Unai Emery’s side scored more goals from dead-ball situations than any team across Europe’s top five leagues. They remained among the continent’s strongest sides in that department the following season and finished level with Arsenal for the most Premier League set-piece goals in 2025-26. Over MacPhee’s five-year spell, Villa have scored 74 goals from set-pieces.
Chelsea have a vacancy in the role after Bernardo Cueva moved away from first-team touchline responsibilities to take up a more analytical position within the club’s football operations. MacPhee is viewed as an ideal candidate to lead the Blues’ set-piece programme under Alonso.
The move would continue a busy summer between Chelsea and Aston Villa. Earlier this week, Chelsea completed the British record £117 million signing of Morgan Rogers, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on a season-long loan that includes a conditional obligation to buy.
MacPhee has worked under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Emery during his time at Villa, earning a reputation as one of the game’s leading specialists in set-piece coaching. Chelsea now hope to add that expertise to Alonso’s staff before the new campaign begins, although discussions remain ongoing and rival interest means no agreement has yet been finalised.
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