Jimmy Frizzell

Born: Greenock, 16th February 1937

1st October 1986 - 1st May 1987
Continued as General Manager until Summer 1988

Jimmy Frizzell was assistant manager during McNeill’s two year reign and then was given the manager’s role following McNeill’s shock departure. During his first few months at City his knowledge of the local football scene and of the English Division Two helped shape McNeill’s plans.

Earlier in his life he had been a utility player at Boundary Park, and had moved into coaching during the late sixties. From December 1969 through to June 1982 he was Oldham’s manager and he took the Latics from the Fourth Division to the Second within four years.

When he became manager at City, supporters felt he would continue the work McNeill had started and perhaps follow a grand plan that the two men had worked on, however Frizzell quickly established his own mark on the side. In came John Gidman, Tony Grealish, and Imre Varadi to the club almost immediately after Frizzell took office, and the exciting goalscorer Paul Stewart was signed from Blackpool shortly afterwards. Sadly, City struggled and were relegated on 39 points at the end of the season.

After relegation Frizzell was given the title of General Manager, but as with McNeill in 1983 this appears to have been an attempt to help the new manager, Mel Machin, adjust to the Mancunian football scene. Frizzell remained a permanent member of staff until the mid 1990s and fulfilled a variety of roles from stadium manager to chief scout.

All history and statistical material has been produced based on the research and writing of Manchester football historian Gary James (www.facebook.com/GaryJames4). It is maintained by Ric Turner & Gary James. All text remains the copyright of the original contributors.

Gary's book, Manchester - the City Years: Tracing the Story of Manchester City from the 1860s to the Modern Day, is available to order on Amazon.