Former Aston Villa set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee was at the centre of a heated altercation during Chelsea's pre-season friendly against Johor Darul Ta'zim, with new Blues boss Xabi Alonso forced to step in and pull him away from a confrontation with opposition coaching staff.
Furious reaction to heavy challenge
The flashpoint occurred shortly after the hour mark when Johor defender Antonio Glauder caught Chelsea striker Liam Delap with a forceful challenge from behind. While Delap's teammates responded immediately, it was MacPhee who displayed the most intense reaction, marching across the pitch to confront a member of the Johor coaching staff.
Video footage circulating on social media appeared to capture MacPhee shouting "shut the f*** up" at the Johor bench, according to supporters who analysed the clip. Alonso, the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager, quickly intervened to restrain his set-piece coach and defuse the situation.
MacPhee's move to Chelsea
MacPhee joined Chelsea from Aston Villa last month as part of Alonso's backroom overhaul at Stamford Bridge. The Scottish coach, easily recognisable by his long blonde hair, had been a regular presence alongside Unai Emery during Villa's recent resurgence, playing a crucial role behind the scenes in their set-piece routines and tactical preparations.
His arrival in west London marks a significant step in Alonso's efforts to build his own coaching staff, following his appointment as Chelsea's new permanent manager after a turbulent 2025-26 season.
Match details and outcome
Despite the tension, Delap, who had already scored twice from the penalty spot during the match, was able to continue playing. The drama continued late on when Glauder inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net, allowing Chelsea to salvage a 3-3 draw from their Far East tour fixture.
The result extends Chelsea's pre-season preparations as they gear up for the upcoming Premier League campaign. Alonso's side are scheduled to host Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, before opening their league season away at neighbours Fulham on August 24.
Alonso's pedigree and Chelsea's ambitions
Alonso arrives at Chelsea with an impressive managerial CV. His brief stint at Real Madrid may have been short, but it was not without merit, while his achievements at Bayer Leverkusen have earned him widespread acclaim. Under his guidance, Leverkusen secured the Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich's long-standing dominance, and also lifted the German Cup.
Chelsea are hoping Alonso can bring stability and success to a club that has struggled to maintain managerial continuity. The club's hierarchy have failed to keep a manager in post for more than 18 months, but none of their previous appointments possessed the pedigree and tactical acumen that Alonso brings.
Looking ahead
The Blues are eager to bounce back from a dismal season that saw them finish in mid-table and rotate through three different managers. Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, and Calum McFarlane all took the reins at various stages during the campaign, but none could arrest the decline.
With Alonso at the helm and MacPhee now part of his coaching team, Chelsea will be hoping for a fresh start and a return to the upper echelons of English football. The pre-season incident, while fiery, demonstrates the passion and intensity that MacPhee brings to his role, qualities that could prove valuable in the competitive environment of the Premier League.
