Austin MacPhee

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Austin MacPhee
Personal information
Full name Austin MacPhee
Date of birth (1979-10-11) 11 October 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Position(s) Centre midfield
Team information
Current team
 Aston Villa (set piece coach)
Portugal (assistant head coach)
Youth career
1997–1999 Forfar Athletic
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2002 Wilmington Seahawks
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Dacia Unirea Brăila
2003–2006 FC Kariya
Managerial career
2008−2010 Cowdenbeath (assistant)
2010−2014 St Mirren (assistant)
2014−2021 Northern Ireland (assistant)
2016–2020 Heart of Midlothian (assistant)
2021–2024 Scotland (assistant)
2025– Portugal (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Austin MacPhee (born 11 October 1979) is a Scottish professional football coach and former player who is currently the set piece coach of Premier League club Aston Villa and assistant head coach of the Portugal national team.

MacPhee has a reputation for his work with set pieces, which he was first given responsibility for by Northern Ireland national team head coach Michael O'Neill. This lead to MacPhee's appointment as a specialist set piece coach with Danish Superliga side Midtjylland, who are famed for their focus in this area.[1]

Playing career

[edit]

MacPhee was a youth team player with Forfar Athletic, but didn't progress to the first team. He moved to the United States aged 20 and spent three years playing college soccer for the Wilmington Seahawks. He then had one year with Romanian club Dacia Unirea Brăila and three years in Japan with FC Kariya, where he ended his playing career.[2]

Coaching career

[edit]

Cupar Hearts

[edit]

In his first season as a head coach, MacPhee guided Cupar Hearts to Fife Amateur Cup victory for the first time in 112 years and to the Scottish Amateur Cup final at Hampden Park. He resigned after one season in charge to take an assistant coach job with Cowdenbeath.[3][4]

Cowdenbeath

[edit]

Head coach Danny Lennon hired MacPhee after seeing his coaching ability on the UEFA A Licence course and noting his amateur success at Cupar Hearts. During his time as part of Lennon's backroom staff the club achieved back-to-back promotions moving from the Scottish Second Division to the Championship.[5][6]

St Mirren

[edit]

After their success at Cowdenbeath, MacPhee teamed up again with Lennon at Scottish Premiership team St Mirren. As part of Lennon's backroom staff, the club finished eighth in the 2011−12 season, their highest Premiership finish, followed by winning their first trophy in 27 years, the 2012–13 Scottish League Cup, before repeating their eighth-place finish in the 2013−14 season. The team included three young players who went on to play in the English Premier League: John McGinn, Kenny McLean and Paul Dummett.

In the 2012−13 season, MacPhee helped secure the signing of Esmaël Gonçalves on loan from Portuguese side Rio Ave. Gonçalves scored after eight minutes on his debut, in a 3−2 victory over Celtic at Hampden Park. MacPhee was credited with the tactical plan behind the victory in post match comments by Lennon and team captain Steven Thompson. Gonçalves went on to score ten goals in three months, including a goal in their Scottish League Cup final victory over Hearts.[7][8]

Northern Ireland

[edit]

MacPhee resigned from his post at St Mirren in March 2014 to become an assistant coach with the Northern Ireland national team and began working with Michael O'Neill. MacPhee joined the squad for the first time in May 2014 for their friendly match against Uruguay in Montevideo as they prepared for their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. In his first qualifying campaign working with O'Neill, the team made a historic start winning their first three games and going on to maintain their form with excellent performances against Finland, Romania and Hungary. Following their 3–1 home win against Greece, Northern Ireland secured qualification for the European Championships for the first time in history. After the match, O'Neill praised the efforts of MacPhee and his "obsessive attention to detail" on BBC Radio 5 Live, as well as his excellent work with set-pieces, which had delivered eleven goals in qualification.

A draw in Helsinki later secured them as group winners for the first time in national history as they became the first team in history to win a group having been ranked in pot five. After defeating Slovenia 1−0 in Belfast, the team created history by going ten games undefeated, with former Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll and O'Neill both praising MacPhee's innovative work with set pieces and detailed work with the players as they prepared for Euro 2016.[9][10][11][12]

Northern Ireland were drawn in a group with Germany, Poland and Ukraine and progressed to the knockout stages after a historic 2−0 win over Ukraine in Lyon.[13] MacPhee was hailed as the "only Scot at the Euros"[14] after all home nations qualified bar Scotland. Northern Ireland were eventually eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 1−0 loss to Wales, following a Gareth McAuley own goal from a Gareth Bale cross.

MacPhee continued to work as one of O'Neill's assistant coaches for a total of 63 international matches, until O'Neill left the post to manage Stoke City. It was announced that MacPhee was staying with Northern Ireland when Ian Baraclough was appointed as O'Neill's successor.[15] After Northern Ireland secured Euro 2020 qualifying play-off semi-final success in Sarajevo with a victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Baraclough credited both MacPhee and goalkeeping coach Steve Harper for their penalty shoot-out winning approach. Northern Ireland had substituted two players in the 119th minute, bringing on Conor Washington and Liam Boyce, who both went on to score their penalties.[16]

Heart of Midlothian

[edit]

On 6 December 2016, MacPhee agreed to take over as the new assistant coach to Ian Cathro at Heart of Midlothian.[17] The club announced that MacPhee would continue to work with Northern Ireland.[18]

In MacPhee's time at the club, he further developed his reputation for his work with set pieces, which he was first given responsibility for by Northern Ireland head coach Michael O'Neill.[19] Three goals from set pieces in the 2018–19 Scottish Cup semi-final win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hearts converting goals from imaginative set pieces in the league further grew his reputation in this area, as pundits, coaches and players commended his work.[20][21]

MacPhee was appointed as caretaker manager of Hearts in October 2019, as Hearts went through a legal dispute with Barnsley about the hiring of new head coach Daniel Stendel to replace Craig Levein.[22] His second spell as caretaker manager ended when Stendel was appointed on 7 December.[23] MacPhee officially left Hearts on 31 May 2020, at the end of his contract.[24]

Midtjylland

[edit]

After leaving Hearts, MacPhee joined Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga as a specialist set piece coach. Midtjylland, who are famed for their focus on set pieces, qualified for the 2020−21 Champions League group stages in a group with Liverpool, Atalanta and Ajax.[25][26] The Irish Football Association announced that MacPhee would continue to work with Northern Ireland.[27]

Aston Villa

[edit]

After leaving Midtjylland in August 2021, MacPhee joined Aston Villa in the Premier League as a set piece coach.[28] Once again, the Irish FA initially said that MacPhee would continue his work with the Northern Ireland national team.[29] In November 2021, after manager Dean Smith was replaced by Steven Gerrard, it was confirmed that MacPhee's role would be unchanged.[30]

In November 2022, when Unai Emery took over as Aston Villa manager, MacPhee once again retained his role. Emery was reported as having been aware of MacPhee's work with the Scotland national team and was keen to make him an important part of his backroom staff.[31] In the 2023–24 season, Aston Villa scored the most set piece goals in Europe when they converted 25 set pieces in all competitions.[32]

Scotland

[edit]

Later in August 2021, MacPhee left his position with Northern Ireland to take an assistant coach position with the Scotland national team alongside his Aston Villa role.[33]

In September 2024, MacPhee announced that he had reluctantly resigned the international role because his father was ill and he wanted to focus on his job with Aston Villa.[34]

Portugal

[edit]

On 12 February 2025, MacPhee was announced as the assistant head coach of the Portugal national team, alongside his ongoing role at Aston Villa.[35]

FIFA and UEFA

[edit]

MacPhee has previously held roles as a UEFA Technical Observer and a FIFA Coach Mentor with the China national team staff.[36]

AM Soccer Club

[edit]

MacPhee founded the charity AM Soccer Club, which provides football coaching to over 500 players. The organisation has had national acclaim winning the "Legacy Award" and producing up to 50 players for professional academies and the Scottish Performance Schools. The most notable graduate from the AM Soccer Club Curriculum was Louis Appéré, who was invited into the Roma academy prior to signing with Dundee United.[37]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Campbell, Jordan (7 August 2019). "Set-piece kings Midtjylland – and their former Celtic star – have left top teams admiring from afar". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  2. ^ Cooney, Darren (5 December 2016). "Who is Austin MacPhee? All you need to know about man expected to be Hearts No.2". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  3. ^ "HEARTS ON HAMPDEN TRAIL".
  4. ^ "IT'S HAMPDEN HERE WE COME FOR HEARTS!". Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Cupar Hearts looking for new manager". Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Cupar Hearts' star joins Cowdenbeath". Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  7. ^ http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/drogba-fan-esmael-goncalves-ready-to-make-saints-debut-on-big-stage-1-2755325 [dead link]
  8. ^ "I was a ball boy when Boavista beat all the odds to win trophy ..now Saints can do same; ESMAEL GONCALVES EXCLUSIVE. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com.
  9. ^ Berry, Gavin (25 March 2014). "St Mirren star Jason Naismith hopes Buddies can avoid dreaded relegation play-off on final day of season". Daily Record. Media Scotland.
  10. ^ Alan Pattullo (25 March 2015). "Austin MacPhee: The Scots coach of Northern Ireland". The Scotsman. JPI Media.
  11. ^ Andrew Dickson (29 March 2016). "Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill says organisation can be the key". Sky Sports.
  12. ^ Barrett, Tony (18 June 2016). "Epic tale of jobless defender and genius coach". The Times. Retrieved 28 August 2019. (subscription required)
  13. ^ Paul Gilmour (June 2016). "Northern Ireland have opposing players' names on training bibs ahead of Euro 2016 opener". Sky Sports.
  14. ^ Alan Pattullo (11 June 2016). "Interview: Austin MacPhee on his Euro mission with Northern Ireland". The Scotsman. JPI Media.
  15. ^ Pattulo, Alan (1 July 2020). "Dundee United candidate Austin MacPhee agrees Northern Ireland job". The Scotsman. JPI Media. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  16. ^ Beacom, Steven (11 October 2020). "How Austin MacPhee was key to Northern Ireland's winning penalty plan in Bosnia, explains scorer Liam Boyce". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  17. ^ Brannan, Laura (6 December 2016). "Hearts appoint Austin MacPhee to assist head coach Ian Cathro". STV News. STV. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Hearts appoint Austin MacPhee as Assistant Head Coach Heart of Midlothian | News". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  19. ^ Pattullo, Alan (13 April 2019). "Alan Pattullo: Hearts' reliance on Austin MacPhee's set-piece playbook". The Scotsman. JPI Media. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Hearts beat Inverness CT to reach final". BBC Sport. 13 April 2019.
  21. ^ "Analysing how Hearts come alive when the ball is dead". Blair Newman. 19 February 2019.
  22. ^ "Craig Levein: Hearts sack manager & director of football". BBC Sport. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  23. ^ "Hearts: Daniel Stendel 'can take club forward' after appointment". BBC Sport. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  24. ^ Anderson, Barry (1 June 2020). "Craig Levein and Austin MacPhee officially leave Hearts". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  25. ^ Campbell, Jordan (7 August 2019). "Set-piece kings Midtjylland – and their former Celtic star – have left top teams admiring from afar". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  26. ^ Jakobsen, Mads (25 February 2021). "FC MIDTJYLLAND UDVIDER STABEN". FC Midtjylland. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Austin MacPhee joins first team coaching staff at Danish Superliga champions". IFA. 26 February 2021. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  28. ^ "MacPhee joins as specialised set piece coach". Aston Villa Football Club. Aston Villa Official Website. 3 August 2021. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Austin MacPhee joins Villa as set piece coach". IFA. 3 August 2021. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  30. ^ Young, Graeme (13 November 2021). "Steven Gerrard keeps faith in Austin MacPhee as he keeps role with Aston Villa". Daily Record. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  31. ^ Preece, Ashley (7 November 2022). "Unai Emery makes Aston Villa squad stance and MacPhee future clear". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  32. ^ Townley, John (1 September 2024). "Austin MacPhee's meticulous planning gives Aston Villa unrivalled success". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  33. ^ "Steve Clarke: Scotland head coach extends contract". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Villa's MacPhee quits as Scotland set-piece coach". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  35. ^ Evans, Gregg. "Aston Villa's Austin MacPhee appointed Portugal assistant coach". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  36. ^ "Austin selected for FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme | Heart of Midlothian Football Club". Hearts. 30 October 2018.
  37. ^ "Dundee United win the battle to sign former Roma trialist Louis Appere - The Courier". 25 July 2016.