Austin MacPhee

Last updated

Austin MacPhee
Personal information
Full name Austin MacPhee
Date of birth (1979-10-11) 11 October 1979 (age 43)
Place of birth Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Centre midfield
Team information
Current team
 Scotland (assistant coach)
Aston Villa (set-piece coach)
Youth career
1997–1999 Forfar Athletic
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1999–2002 UNC Wilmington Seahawks
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2002–2003 Dacia Unirea Brăila
2003–2006 FC Kariya
Managerial career
2007–2008 Cupar Hearts
2008–2010 Cowdenbeath (assistant coach)
2010–2014 St. Mirren (assistant coach)
2014–2021 Northern Ireland (assistant coach)
2016–2020 Heart of Midlothian (assistant coach)
2021 FC Midtjylland (assistant coach)
2021– Aston Villa (set-piece coach)
2021– Scotland (assistant coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Austin MacPhee (born 11 October 1979) is a Scottish football coach and former player who is currently working as an assistant coach of the Scotland national team and at Aston Villa as a set piece coach. MacPhee holds his Pro Licence and has a reputation for his work with set-pieces leading to his appointment with Danish Champions League side FC Midtjylland who are famed for their focus in this area. [1]

Contents

Playing career

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 UNC 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

Cupar Hearts

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

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

St Mirren

After their success at Cowdenbeath MacPhee teamed up again with Lennon at Scottish Premiership team St. Mirren. As part of Lennon's back room staff the Club achieved their highest Premiership finish in 2012 of 8th, followed by winning their first trophy in 27 years in 2013 (the Scottish League Cup) then repeating their 8th-place finish in 2014. The team included three young players who went on to play in the English Premiership John McGinn, Kenny McLean and Paul Dummett.

MacPhee helped secure the signing of Esmaël Gonçalves on loan from Rio Ave. Goncalves scored after 8 minutes of 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 Manager Danny Lennon and team captain Steven Thompson. Goncalves went on to score 10 goals in three months, including a goal in the final victory over Hearts. [7] [8]

Mexico and World Cup 2014

MacPhee was recruited as part of the backroom staff of the Mexico National Team for the 2014 World Cup and was responsible for opposition analysis as Mexico recruited both him and Atletico Madrid analyst Antonio Perez for Brazil 2014. MacPhee had impressed the Mexican Technical Staff during an interview for a coaching job in the Mexican Championship in early 2014. [9]

Northern Ireland

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 for their game in Montevideo, Uruguay in May 2014 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 and as group winners. After the match Head Coach Michael O'Neill praised the efforts of MacPhee and his "obsessive attention to detail" on BBC Radio 5 Live and his excellent work with set-pieces which had delivered 11 goals in qualification.

A draw in Helsinki 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. Following Northern Ireland defeating Slovenia 1-0 in Belfast the team created history by going 10 games undefeated, former Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll and Head Coach Michael O'Neill both praised MacPhee's innovative work with set-pieces and detailed work with the players as they prepared for Euro 2016. [10] [11] [12] [13]

Northern Ireland were drawn in a group with Germany, Poland and Ukraine and progressed to the knock-out stages after a historic 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lyon. [14] MacPhee was the "only Scot at the Euros" [15] after all home nations qualified bar Scotland. Northern Ireland were eliminated 1-0 in round of 16 following an own goal from a Gareth Bale cross.

MacPhee continued to work as one of O'Neill's assistant coaches for a total of 63 internationals 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. [16] After Baraclough's Northern Ireland secured Euro 2020 semi-final play-off success in Sarajevo with a penalty shoot-out victory over Bosnia Baraclough credited both MacPhee and Steve Harper approach to the shoot out when Baraclough had substituted two players in the 119th minute. [17]

Heart of Midlothian

On 6 December 2016 MacPhee agreed to take over as new assistant coach to Ian Cathro at Heart of Midlothian. [18] The club announced that MacPhee would continue to work with Northern Ireland. [19]

In MacPhee's time at the Club he developed a reputation for his work with set-pieces which he was given responsibility for by Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill. [20] Three goals from set-pieces in the Scottish Cup semi-final and Hearts converting the most goals from imaginative set pieces in the league further grew his reputation in this area as pundits, coaches and players commented on his work. [21] [22]

MacPhee was appointed 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. [23] His second spell as caretaker manager ended when Stendel was appointed on 7 December. [24] MacPhee officially left Hearts on 31 May 2020, at the end of his contract. [25]

FC Midtjylland

After leaving Hearts MacPhee joined FC Midtjylland in Denmark who had qualified for the Champions League Group stages in a group with Liverpool, Atalanta and Ajax. [26] The Irish Football Association announced that MacPhee would continue to work with Northern Ireland. [27]

Aston Villa

After leaving FC Midtjylland in August 2021, MacPhee joined Aston Villa in the Premier League as a specialist set piece coach. [28] Once again, the Irish FA initially said that MacPhee would continue his work with the Northern Irish 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 Scottish national team and was keen to make him an important part of his backroom staff. [31]

Scotland

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. [32]

FIFA and UEFA

MacPhee has previously held roles as a UEFA Technical Observer and a FIFA Coach Mentor with the Chinese National Team Staff. [33]

AM Soccer Club

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 AS Roma Academy prior to signing with Dundee United. [34]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aston Villa F.C.</span> Association football club in Birmingham, England

Aston Villa Football Club, commonly referred to as Villa, is a professional football club based in Aston, Birmingham, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of the English football league system. Founded in 1874, they have played at their home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in England, having won the Football League First Division seven times, the FA Cup seven times, the League Cup five times, and the European Cup and European Super Cup once.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stiliyan Petrov</span> Bulgarian footballer

Stiliyan Alyoshev Petrov is a Bulgarian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Petrov joined Celtic from CSKA Sofia in 1999, and won ten trophies in his time at Celtic Park, including four Scottish Premier League titles. In 2006, he moved to Aston Villa in the Premier League, along with his former manager Martin O'Neill. Petrov became club captain at Villa Park, and was an inductee to the Aston Villa Hall of Fame in 2013 having made 219 competitive appearances for the club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin MacDonald (footballer)</span> Scottish football player and manager

Kevin Duncan MacDonald is a Scottish former footballer who is the former manager of Swindon Town and caretaker manager of Aston Villa on three occasions. As a player MacDonald was a member of the Liverpool "double" winning side of 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Aitken</span> Scottish footballer and manager

Robert Sime "Roy" Aitken is a Scottish former football player and manager. He made over 480 league appearances for Celtic, and later played for Newcastle United, St Mirren and Aberdeen. Aitken also made 57 international appearances for Scotland. His playing position was either in midfield or defence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Davis</span> Northern Irish association football player

Steven Davis is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premiership club Rangers and captains the Northern Ireland national team. Davis made his full international debut in 2005 and has since been capped 140 times, scoring 13 goals, at senior level to become the most capped player in Northern Ireland, and the most capped British player of all time. He captained his nation to the last 16 at UEFA Euro 2016.

Didier Fernand Agathe is a French football manager and former professional footballer who most recently managed Chester-le-Street United. He is most known for his playing time at Celtic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Maloney</span> Scottish professional footballer

Shaun Richard Maloney is a Scottish football coach, who is the current manager of Wigan Athletic, and former player. Maloney played for Celtic, Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Chicago Fire, Hull City and the Scotland national team as an attacking midfielder or winger.

Stephen Joseph Walford is an English former football player and manager. He played as a defender for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Norwich City, West Ham United, and West Bromwich Albion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael O'Neill (footballer)</span> Northern Irish footballer (born 1969)

Michael Andrew Martin O'Neill is a Northern Irish football manager and former player, who is currently manager of the Northern Ireland national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Baraclough</span> English footballer and manager

Ian Robert Baraclough is an English football manager and former player who was most recently the manager of the Northern Ireland national team. He previously managed the Under-21 team.

Kenneth George Black is a Scottish football manager and former player who spent most of his career with Heart of Midlothian and Airdrieonians.

Liam Fox is a Scottish professional football coach and former player, who was most recently the manager of Dundee United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin O'Neill</span> Northern Irish football manager and player

Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, is a Northern Irish professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. After a brief early career in the Irish League, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham Forest. He won the First Division title in 1977–78 and the European Cup twice, in 1979 and 1980. He was capped 64 times for the Northern Ireland national football team, also captaining the side at the 1982 World Cup.

The 2010–11 Aston Villa F.C. season was Aston Villa's 136th professional season; their 100th season in the top-flight; and their 23rd consecutive season in the top flight of English football, the Premier League. It was also the first season under French manager Gérard Houllier, who was appointed after previous boss Martin O'Neill resigned on 9 August 2010. Despite a generally disappointing season in both the league and cup competitions, a late surge allowed the club to finish in 9th position in the Premier League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John McGinn</span> Scottish footballer

John McGinn is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa, whom he captains, and the Scotland national team.

The 2016–17 season is the 120th season of competitive football by Heart of Midlothian F.C. with the team participating in the Scottish Premiership.

The 2017–18 season is the 121st season of competitive football by Heart of Midlothian F.C. (Hearts) with the team participating in the Scottish Premiership. Hearts are playing their third consecutive season in the top tier of Scottish football, having been promoted from the Scottish Championship at the end of the 2014–15 season. They also competed in the League and Scottish Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron McEneff</span> Irish professional footballer (born 1995)

Aaron McEneff is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Perth Glory in the A-League.

Louis George P. Appéré is a Scottish footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Northampton Town. He made his senior debut in August 2017.

The 2020–21 season was the 124th season of competitive football by Heart of Midlothian (Hearts), with the team participating in the Scottish Championship. It was the club's first season of play in the second tier of Scottish football since 2015, and only the second since 1983, having been relegated from the Scottish Premiership, after the previous season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. On 10 April 2021, Hearts earned automatic promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, having been in first place for most of the season. They also competed in this season's Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup, losing in the second round of each competition respectively.

References

  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!".
  5. ↑ "Cupar Hearts looking for new manager".
  6. ↑ "Cupar Hearts' star joins Cowdenbeath".
  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. ↑ "Scottish stats man was Mexico's secret weapon in Brazil - Sunday Post". 13 July 2014.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Alan Pattullo (25 March 2015). "Austin MacPhee: The Scots coach of Northern Ireland". The Scotsman. JPI Media.
  12. ↑ Andrew Dickson (29 March 2016). "Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill says organisation can be the key". Sky Sports.
  13. ↑ Barrett, Tony (18 June 2016). "Epic tale of jobless defender and genius coach". The Times. Retrieved 28 August 2019.(subscription required)
  14. ↑ Paul Gilmour (June 2016). "Northern Ireland have opposing players' names on training bibs ahead of Euro 2016 opener". Sky Sports.
  15. ↑ Alan Pattullo (11 June 2016). "Interview: Austin MacPhee on his Euro mission with Northern Ireland". The Scotsman. JPI Media.
  16. ↑ Pattulo, Alan (1 July 2020). "Dundee United candidate Austin MacPhee agrees Northern Ireland job". The Scotsman. JPI Media. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ Brannan, Laura (6 December 2016). "Hearts appoint Austin MacPhee to assist head coach Ian Cathro". STV News. STV. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  19. ↑ "Hearts appoint Austin MacPhee as Assistant Head Coach Heart of Midlothian | News". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ "Hearts beat Inverness CT to reach final". BBC Sport. 13 April 2019.
  22. ↑ "Analysing how Hearts come alive when the ball is dead". Blair Newman. 19 February 2019.
  23. ↑ "Craig Levein: Hearts sack manager & director of football". BBC Sport. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  24. ↑ "Hearts: Daniel Stendel 'can take club forward' after appointment". BBC Sport. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  25. ↑ Anderson, Barry (1 June 2020). "Craig Levein and Austin MacPhee officially leave Hearts". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  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. ↑ "Steve Clarke: Scotland head coach extends contract". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  33. ↑ "Austin selected for FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme | Heart of Midlothian Football Club". Hearts. 30 October 2018.
  34. ↑ "Dundee United win the battle to sign former Roma trialist Louis Appere - The Courier". 25 July 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.