Aston Villa coach could play a crucial role for Portugal during their World Cup campaign.
Aston Villa’s success in the 2025/26 season has not only raised the profile of the players and manager, but also that of the club’s backroom staff. One of Unai Emery’s coaches, Austin MacPhee, who also works with the Portugal national team, is considered an important figure in Roberto Martinez’s coaching staff, as reported by A Bola via Sport Witness:
“As Portugal step up preparations for the World Cup, MacPhee has reportedly been heavily involved in sessions focused on dead-ball situations.”
MacPhee joined Portugal’s coaching staff in February 2025. His extensive experience at international level with both Northern Ireland and Scotland appears to have convinced Martinez to bring him into the setup.
According to the same report from A Bola, MacPhee’s role in preparing Selecao das Quinas for set-piece situations has become increasingly significant. The Scotsman has reportedly been one of the most active figures during training sessions.
His presence could help Portugal diversify their attacking threat from dead-ball situations, including direct free-kicks, rather than relying solely on Cristiano Ronaldo in such scenarios.
“Portugal are using mechanical walls that rise to simulate defensive jumps during free-kick practice, while set-piece routines have become a regular feature of daily training,” the report added.
Their focus on maximising set-piece opportunities could prove vital during Portugal’s World Cup campaign in North America, particularly given the success Aston Villa have enjoyed in this area in recent seasons. Set pieces have become one of the most effective ways to gain an advantage during matches.
MacPhee’s work at Villa Park has been widely recognised since his arrival at the club. Last season, during Villa’s successful Europa League-winning campaign and fourth-place finish in the Premier League, the team scored 18 goals from set pieces excluding penalties. That accounted for 32 per cent of their total goals during the campaign. His influence was arguably even greater in the 2023/24 season when the Lions scored 25 goals from dead-ball situations.
The former midfielder has earned a reputation for meticulously designing variations that create space or provide goalscoring opportunities from different types of set pieces. Corners, indirect free-kicks and even goal-kick routines can be utilised to create an element of surprise against opposing defences.
Last season, set plays are undeniably one of the secret weapon in Villa’s triumphant campaign. A set-piece routine, for example, helped Villa break the deadlock against Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final away from home. Another dead-ball situation proved crucial in the Europa League final when Youri Tielemans’ volley gave Unai Emery’s side the lead and the confidence to take control of the match.
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