Gaffers at the ready
Championship Manager takes on Football Manager in PSP footie sim penalty shoot-out
What with the heartache-inducing stress levels, backroom rows, boot-throwing allegations and the constant threat of getting the sack, no one in their right mind would want to be football manager. Maybe none of them are. But no matter the sanity of the nation's gaffers, it seems that there's nothing virtual managers like more than to take their favourite team to glory. And so it is that Eidos has decided to bring its long-running Championship Manager series to PSP.
Probably the best known footie management game in the world, there’s been bit of a barny recently with original developer Sports Interactive splitting from Eidos (it was a George Burnley-esque 'amicable separation' so they say - Sports Ed) and rebranding its game as Football Manager with new publisher Sega. Interestingly, it's announced a PSP version of Football Manager, too, so with the new Champ Manager Eidos will be fighting it out again in the handheld arena.
But back to the details. Eidos claims the game will feature everything from transfers and training, to tactics and tabloids. In terms of sheer numbers, there will be 55 playable leagues spread across the top 12 footballing countries in Europe, Asia and South America, and 25,000 players from 100 nations.
As the manager, you'll have to handle the transfer market, negotiate with agents and salary-greedy players, as well as deal with your executive board and backroom staff. On the pitch there will be plenty of tactical flexibility, too, so you can work your Mourinho-style half-time magic with substitutions and formation changes.
Exclusive PSP features will include new modes such as Challenge and a quick-play three season mode for gaming on the go. The stats for players will also be kept up-to-date at www.championshipmanager.com, enabling you to download them every weekend to make sure your football world is all present and correct.
In fact, pretty much the only thing we don't know is when the game will be released. Our guestimate is early 2006 but keep your eyes peeled as Eidos might try and sneak it out in time for Christmas and go head to head with Sega's Football Manager 2006.
