The Austin MacPhee Chelsea move has been driven by Xabi Alonso’s desire to improve his new side’s set-piece record, according to former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness.
MacPhee is expected to leave Unai Emery’s staff after Chelsea triggered a release clause in his Villa contract.
The 46-year-old has already said goodbye to Villa’s players and staff following five years at the club. However, neither side has officially announced his appointment.
Austin MacPhee Chelsea move driven by Alonso
Wyness believes the move demonstrates the influence Alonso has received since becoming Chelsea manager.
“It’s come from Alonso, I’m pretty sure,” Wyness told Football Insider.
The former Villa executive described MacPhee as highly regarded within football and praised his work at Villa Park.
Only Arsenal scored more non-penalty set-piece goals than Villa across the last three Premier League seasons. Villa registered 49, compared with Arsenal’s 64.
Wyness believes Alonso has identified dead-ball situations as an area Chelsea must improve. He added that MacPhee’s expected appointment suggests the Spaniard is “ruling the roost” and can select his own staff.
MacPhee joined Villa in 2021 and remained at the club under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Emery. His routines helped establish Villa as one of the Premier League’s strongest teams from corners and free-kicks.
His departure has already divided opinion. Former Villa scout Bryan King dismissed the importance of specialist set-piece coaches, as covered in ReadAstonVilla’s latest MacPhee update.
Villa’s numbers provide a strong argument for replacing his expertise. Emery must now decide whether to recruit another specialist or redistribute those responsibilities within his coaching staff.
