CHELSEA’S prominent signing this summer from Aston Villa isn’t Morgan Rogers; it’s their set-piece coach – Austin MacPhee.
And Villa supporters might feel more pained about the loss of the figure they honored with a mural resembling Christ the Redeemer than their key attacking talent.
New Blues set-piece coach MacPhee, much like Arsenal’s Nicolas Jover, represents a new breed of coaches whose importance is growing and sometimes even eclipses that of the players on the pitch.
Similar to Jover, he’s proving his worth with impressive outcomes.
Last season, Aston Villa netted 29 goals from set pieces, tying for the highest in Europe with Arsenal. In total, they converted 74 dead-ball situations into goals over the last three years.
This might explain the recurring chant of “Austin MacPhee, Ole, Ole” resonating through the Holte End on multiple chilly evenings at Villa Park.
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Much like Arsenal’s championship-winning season, set-piece goals at Villa Park were celebrated with more fervor compared to those scored in open play – a testament to MacPhee’s effectiveness, creativity, and engaging persona.
The 46-year-old MacPhee, hailing from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, is notable for his long blonde hair, embodying a distinctive look that fuses the styles of an Aussie surfing champion, a retired drummer, and Jesus Christ – hence the viral Christ the Redeemer memes circulating online.
His playing career was brief, having played for Forfar Athletic in his youth until he turned 20, after which he ventured to the USA to play for the Wilmington Seahawks.
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After a year with Romanian side Dacia Unirea Brăila, he concluded his playing career in Japan, significantly enhancing his footballing perspective.
As a coach, he has held head and assistant coaching roles at Cupar Hearts, Cowdenbeath, St Mirren, Northern Ireland, and Hearts, before his aptitude for set-piece coaching was recognized.
Post-Hearts, MacPhee joined Midtjylland in Denmark as a specialized set-piece coach, then moved to Villa Park, where he gained a reputation as a set-piece expert.
His impact was solidified when a corner he devised played a crucial role in Villa’s Europa League final triumph, etching his name into the club’s history books before Chelsea brought him on board for an undisclosed fee.
This fee was surely nowhere close to the £117m spent on Rogers.
Arsenal demonstrated last season how set pieces could influence the outcomes between clinching the Premier League and falling short.
Now, Chelsea appears ready to follow this trend as they aim to bolster their defensive abilities regarding set pieces.
In the past season alone, the Blues transitioned through three different head coaches while receiving support from former set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva. They managed 21 goals under the Portuguese specialist but conceded 19 – Aston Villa allowed fewer goals, just 16.
In contrast, Arsenal conceded only eight.
When it comes to offensive capabilities, MacPhee’s creativity distinguishes him from others in his role.
The set-piece goals for Villa last season showcased remarkable variety – some were executed short, some flew directly into the net, and different players took on diverse roles to confuse the opposition.
The Europa League final against Freiburg demonstrated this perfectly, as did Morgan Rogers’ spectacular goal against Liverpool earlier in the campaign.
Unai Emery lauded him as a “Fantastic creator,” while Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez commended his ability to connect with players in an interview with The Athletic, stating: “He’s got a real knack for connecting with the player, and that’s what makes him so effective.”
He’ll need to identify the tactical skills within Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea squad capable of adopting specific roles such as blockers, initial takers, crossers, and finishers to capitalize on the scoring opportunities that emerge.
The absence of Marc Cucurella might be felt in terms of tactical intelligence, while keeping someone like Enzo Fernandez could be essential for success next season, especially considering Reece James’ crosses rank among the best in the league.
If the Blues and MacPhee can effectively synchronize, with only one match per week and ample time to refine their set pieces midweek compared to the previous season, we may soon see a mural of Christ the Redeemer with MacPhee’s face at Stamford Bridge.
