Chelsea has hired Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa to serve as the club's new set-piece coach. The move, announced by the Premier League side, adds a specialist focused on dead-ball situations to Enzo Maresca's backroom staff.
The role of a set-piece coach
MacPhee becomes Chelsea's dedicated set-piece coach, a role that has grown more prominent across European football. Teams now routinely employ staff who study attacking and defensive routines from corners, free kicks, and throw-ins. MacPhee had been at Aston Villa before making the switch to Stamford Bridge.
What Chelsea gains
Set pieces have become a decisive factor in tight matches. By hiring a coach who focuses solely on that phase of play, Chelsea aims to improve both their scoring output from dead balls and their ability to defend them. MacPhee joins a coaching team that already includes head coach Maresca and several assistants.
The appointment fills a specific need. Chelsea finished last season with a middling record on set-piece goals, and the club has invested in analytics and specialized training to close that gap. MacPhee's experience at Villa, where he worked on similar drills, is expected to contribute immediately.
Neither Chelsea nor MacPhee have commented publicly on the terms of the deal or the start date. The club has not confirmed whether MacPhee will work solely with the first team or also with the academy sides.
