Former Scotland and Hearts coach appointed assistant manager of top 10 world ranked nation
Less than five months after leaving Steve Clarke’s backroom staff, a former Scotland coach has been hired for a new position on the international team.
Due to his club obligations with Aston Villa and a family illness, Austin MacPhee resigned as Scotland’s set piece coach in September of last year.
Since his appointment by Dean Smith in 2021, MacPhee has served as Villa Park’s set-piece coach. He has remained employed by both current boss Unai Emery and former manager Steven Gerrard.
Since Clarke headhunted him shortly after Euro 2020, the 45-year-old former Hearts interim manager had been a part of the Scotland setup. In addition to his Villa responsibilities, MacPhee was then employed by Northern Ireland, where he had been brought on by Michael O’Neill.
During a time when Scotland earned promotion to League A of the Nations League for the first time and qualified for Euro 2024 with two games remaining, MacPhee was an essential member of the backroom staff.
In addition to his existing post at Villa, the Fifer has now secured a new position as Portugal’s assistant coach, working under head coach Roberto Martinez. He was chosen to succeed Anthony Barry, who just moved to England to work as Thomas Tuchel’s assistant.
MacPhee will remain employed by Villa and only join Martinez’s national team during international breaks, according to confirmation from the Portuguese Football Federation. He starts his job when Portugal plays Denmark in the Nations League quarterfinals next month. The team that loses that match will join Clarke’s team in Group C, which also includes Greece and Belarus. Portugal may also play Scotland in the World Cup qualifying round.
In the current FIFA global rankings, Portugal is ranked sixth.
