Tributes have been paid to former Manchester City manager and Oldham legend Jimmy Frizzell who has died aged 79.

Jimmy served Latics as both a player and manager in a spell with the club which lasted more than 22 years.

He also spent a year in charge of the Blues in the mid-1980s.

Today officials, former players and fans of both clubs paid heart-warming tributes to the much loved football man.

On the day Pep Guardiola was unveiled as City’s new boss, the club said: “Amid the joyous events of today, all at MCFC are saddened to hear of the passing of former manager Jimmy Frizzell.

"Everybody at Manchester City send their sincere condolences to Jimmy’s family."

Oldham Chief Executive Neil Joy said: “Jimmy was a true Oldham Athletic legend as a player and manager, and he was a real gentleman.

“All Latics fans will feel a real sense of loss at this news. Our thoughts are with Jimmy’s friends and family at this sad time.”

A tough-tackling Scottish full-back, Jimmy first joined Oldham from Greenock Morton in 1960 and instantly became a fans’ favourite due to his tenacious style of play.

During his decade as a player he made 318 appearances for the club, scoring 56 goals.

In 1970, Frizzell took over the managerial reigns at the club, succeeding Jack Rowley, and he instantly tasted success guiding the club to promotion to Division Three in his first season in charge.

Jimmy Frizzell

Three years later, Frizzell masterminded another promotion, guiding the Latics to the old Division Three title and into Division Two.

He was also responsible for bringing Oldham favourites Alan Groves, David Shaw and the legendary Roger Palmer to the club.

Frizzell left the club in 1982, making him its second longest serving manager in the club’s history.

Just a year later he joined City as assistant to then-boss Billy McNeill.

And he took over the reigns when McNeill left to join Aston Villa in acrimonious circumstances in 1986.

Although his spell as boss was short lived, with him being sacked after they were relegated to Division Two in 1987, he was still held in high regard by the Maine Road faithful.

He returned as Chief Scout in 1994 – a role he remained in for four years.