Northern Ireland assistant coach Austin MacPhee has left his role to join the coaching staff of Scotland men’s national team.
MacPhee, 41, who recently joined Premier League side Aston Villa as a set-piece coach, has been part of the Northern Ireland senior men’s backroom team since 2014 and worked under both Michael O’Neill and Ian Baraclough.
MacPhee’s tenure with the team stretched to over 70 internationals through Euro 2016 and play-off finals for FIFA World Cup 2018 and Euro 2020.
The Scot was recruited by then boss O’Neill and joined the staff as an assistant coach before a tour of South America in the summer of 2014. His first game as part of O’Neill’s team was a match against Uruguay.
He later went on to play a key role in the team’s qualification for UEFA Euro 2016 and at the tournament itself.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with Northern Ireland working under Michael O’Neill and more recently Ian Baraclough.
“Now a new opportunity has presented itself with my home nation and it is one I couldn’t turn down. I leave cherishing the wonderful memories made along the way, not least Euro 2016 which was a special time for the players, staff and the Green and White Army.”
