Life in FM

‘What if…’ is an occasional a series of articles where I will create different scenario within Football Manager and see how things play out. I could be a playable manager in the game, I will just set up the game and play it on holiday and see how the world works itself out. To kick off the series I wanted to know an answer to a question; Is it the team which makes the manager, or the manager which makes the team? To find out I have given a few top manager and a few unproven manager new employees. To put it all together I used the data editor to change the database, non of the managers attributes have been changed so they all have the same skills they had in the original database, the only thing to have changed was the top managers egos, they were brought down a peg or two as I reduced their reputations.

Top Four

Manchester United - Manager: Roy Keane

Roy Keane had been touted as being the next number 2 at United in training to prepare himself for the big job once Ferguson retires, but the call never came and instead he joined former Ireland team mate Niall Quinn at Sunderland to save them from Championship relegation and jump them into the Premiership. Now Roy has his chance of proving to Ferguson that he is just as good as he is, returning to Old Traffod prawn sandwiches are off the menu.

Chelsea - Dennis Wise

The little man’s pure grit has seen him take a Leeds side who at the start of the season were in negative points. If we didn’t take those points into consideration he would be clear at the top of the league and certain of a promotion place back into the Championship as Leeds try and rebuild a sleeping giant. But at Stamford Bridge, despite the masses of foreign players that have graced the pitch, non are loved as much as Wise the cheeky chappy Londoner will hopefully bring some success for an English manager once again.

Arsenal - Tony Adams

Adams currently on an apprenticeship with Pompey one eye on management sometime soon. The former Arsenal captain has already tried his hand at management with Wycombe who under his guidance were relegated. After that Tony thought he needed more work so went to Holland to train. Under the wheeler dealer Redknapp has Adams been a good student?

Liverpool - John Aldridge

Compared to the others John is an experienced manager. Aldo is a fans favourite at Tranmere Rovers, just across the Mersey. John had some good spells with the Rovers getting them to an FA Cup final, but in the end couldn’t prevent them getting relegated in 2001. He hasn’t been back in football since, so Liverpool will be his first chance to see if he has what it takes to take on a big club.

Italy

Inter Milan - Paul Ince

The MK Dons boss has done his managerial career properly, starting from the bottom saving Macclesfield Town and looking favourites to take the MK up. Ince is ambitious and has stated his ultimate dream is to one day manager Inter Milan and why not? So I have given Mr Ince a helping hand, don’t bugger it up.

The Lower Leagues

Sunderland - Sir Alex Ferguson

Ok not really lower league, Ferguson gets it easy and he is still in the Premiership but Sunderland have struggled this year in the Premiership under Keane. It is now time for Ferguson to show Keane how management is meant to be done.

Colchester - Jose Mourinho

At the time of writing Colchester are sitting bottom of the Championship, so who better to gift a new manager too? And who better then Jose, the special one. A guy who was able to take a mediocre Porto team and make them champions of Europe and also brought back glory to Stamford Bridge. Can the guy save Colchester?

Leeds - Avram Grant

Another swap, Wise for Grant, there was no reason behind this other then I thought I was a bit unfair on Leeds getting rid of their saviour and not putting in place another manager that can take them forward. Grant is best known for his youth development skills and he will need them for Leeds.

Tranmere Rovers - Rafa Benitez

Rovers are the Netto of Merseyside, if Everton are Tesco that would make Liverpool Sainsburys maybe? But with the American owners Asda? Either way I have been going to a few of the Rovers games laterly, basically because its cheaper to watch a lazy league one side rather then a lazy Premiership side. Rafa is settled in Merseyside so I thought that I would give him a chance to whip this lazy lot into shape with his great man management skills.

Luton Town - Arsene Wenger

I started thinking about charity cases when I was dishing out the top managers and no one is more worthy than Luton, forced to get rid of players, failing in the league and money troubles threatening the clubs future, but still managed to give Liverpool a fight in the FA cup. Wenger knows what it is like to be on a tight budget before the new stadium was built The Gunners weren’t making too much money. But he is also a fantastic manager and he is my gift to you Luton Town.

Crewe Alexandra - Fabio Capello

The new England coach has a CV that would make anyone proud, he has done wonders reshaping the fortunes of some of the sleeping giants such at Milan and Madrid. But Crewe will be a real test of tactical knowledge for the Italian, he better get that English course finished he will need it when he gets to Crewe they haven’t got the money to employ an interpretor.

So there is the managers in place, I have to admit that when I was editing the game Lippi was meant to have taken charge of the MK Dons but a slip of the button I managed to make him the chairman instead, ah well lets hope he has some money he can put into the squad from his many bonus, pay off and excessive salaries. I will now run the game on holiday for a few seasons and examine the results. It will be good to see if they are able to attract big players as they have already built up relationships with. Use their tactical knowledge to dominate teams, but can the top 4 survive without a proven manager? Only time will tell.