Blues bolster backroom with renowned dead-ball specialist

Chelsea have confirmed that Austin MacPhee has joined Xabi Alonso's coaching staff as set-piece coach, completing his departure from Aston Villa after nearly five years at the Midlands club.

MacPhee, who also worked with Roberto Martinez as part of Portugal's setup at this year's World Cup, left Villa last month. He joined the club in 2021 under Dean Smith before serving in the same role under Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery, where he became renowned for his inventive dead-ball routines.

His influence at Villa Park was pronounced. As Villa finished fourth in the Premier League last season, they scored 18 goals from set-pieces excluding penalties — only Arsenal (23), Tottenham and Manchester United (19) netted more.

Villa scored 32.14% of their goals from dead balls in 2025-26, with only Spurs (39.58%), Leeds United (32.65%) and Arsenal (32.39%) recording a higher figure. Villa also won the Europa League, and their nine set-piece goals were the most in that competition — a testament to MacPhee's trademark delivery routines.

Chelsea posted a photo of Alonso with his full backroom staff on social media on Tuesday, with MacPhee and Calum McFarlane — who had two spells as interim head coach last season — the two standout additions.

Chelsea continue their pre-season preparations by facing Juventus on Wednesday, with their other remaining friendlies being against AC Milan and Johor Darul Ta'zim.