Jimmy Murphy
Welsh footballer
Died when: 79 years 98 days (951 months)Star Sign: Leo
James Patrick Murphy (8 August 1910 – 14 November 1989) was a Welsh footballer who made over 200 appearances for West Bromwich Albion and won 15 caps for the Wales national team, which he later managed.
Murphy is most famous for being an influential figure at Manchester United from 1946 until the 1970s, as assistant manager, first-team coach, reserve team manager and a full-time scout, although he disliked the limelight and preferred to work quietly behind the scenes.
Following the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958, Murphy temporarily took over as Manchester United manager until the end of the 1957–58 season, steering the club through its greatest crisis while Matt Busby recovered from his injuries, and Murphy put together a makeshift team in place of the players who had died or were recovering from their injuries.
Murphy had not been on the Munich aeroplane, as he had missed the trip in order to take charge of Wales against Israel in Cardiff on the same night as Manchester United's match against Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia.
The Welsh team qualified for the 1958 FIFA World Cup after winning the game, the first time they had qualified for the World Cup, a feat they would not achieve again for another 64 years.
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