 Mitchell played for overseas clubs for more than a dozen years before returning to Australia to coach Sydney Olympic, Sydney United and Parramatta Power in the National Soccer League.He was the assistant manager to Ron Smith at A-League club Perth Glory before taking the top position after Smith's sacking, helping the club end its winless streak.As a player, Mitchell bought out his own contract at Adelaide City so he could join Rangers, the club that his family supported, in 1983.