Author: Chris Fuller

Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 3

Published on by Chris Fuller

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This is it – the final chapter of the 2024 Fuller FM Cup, where my finest Football Manager teams have been battling it out for supremacy.

Last time out, we played through the Group Stage – reducing our original line-up of eight teams to just four. The remaining quartet will now contest the Semi Finals, and the two winners will then play for ALL the marbles in the Final.

Whoever wins the trophy, let’s hope the celebrations don’t go quite as badly as when Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey in 2011. (I’m glad I didn’t hire Sergio Ramos to move my stuff into my new home!) Continue reading “Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 3” →

Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 2

Published on by Chris Fuller

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Welcome to the second part of the 2024 Fuller FM Cup, in which I pit together the best teams from all Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 1my previous Football Manager saves.

Last time out, we met the eight teams who will contest the Group Stage. By the end of today’s chapter, we will be left with just four teams, who will slog it out for the most glamorous trophy in football.

(Okay, so it’s not quite as glamorous as the FA Vase – which my erstwhile local club Romford FC won last season – but it’s a trophy all the same!) Continue reading “Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 2” →

Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 1

Published on by Chris Fuller

An exciting new era at Fuller FM will begin soon… but first, it’s time to bring this one to a close.

I’ve decided to boot up Football Manager 2024 one last time for a special mini-tournament. I’ve selected the eight best teams I’ve coached on Football Manager since I launched Fuller FM back in 2018, and I’ve pitted them against each other to see who comes out on top.

In today’s post, I will explain how the tournament works – and then introduce you to the eight teams who will be contesting the biggest prize of them all. (Sorry, Mike. The Mr Clutch Cup doesn’t quite cut it.) Continue reading “Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 1” →

Football Manager 25: What We Know So Far

Published on by Chris Fuller

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Hello again. I’m glad you’ve come. You’ve obviously heard there’s a new Football Manager game on the way.

As a new club football season draws closer, the excitement about the next installment of FM is ramping up. Last week, Sports Interactive’s studio director Miles Jacobson wrote a lengthy Development Update in which he gave us an early look at FM25’s revamped user interface – and explained some big changes coming to the game.

This is a follow-up to last year’s “The Future of Football Manager” update, where Jacobson first announced that SI were planning big changes on FM25. If you want to read my thoughts on that, you can read them here.

But now that the dragonfly is out of the bag, let’s talk a bit more about Football Manager 2025… or, should I say, Football Manager 25. Continue reading “Football Manager 25: What We Know So Far” →

CM3 Revisited: The Euro 2024 Coaches

Published on by Chris Fuller

As the 2024 men’s European Championship gets ready for kick-off, the final whistle is about to blow on my CM3 Revisited mini-series.

Over the last few months, I have been looking back at Championship Manager 3, which marked the start of a real golden era for the series. I’ve just finished an epic five-season series where I rebuilt Napoli from Serie B, but now it’s time to do something a bit more topical before I bring this nostalgia trip to a close.

I’ve opened up the CM3 database and looked for the managers and head coaches of EVERY team who will be competing at Euro 2024 this summer. If I can’t find any managers (e.g. because they’re too young for CM3), I’ll instead look for their assistants or other staff members. If I’m still out of luck, then I’ll try to find anyone else related to the current squad. Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: The Euro 2024 Coaches” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 15

Published on by Chris Fuller

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It’s funny how these things pan out, isn’t it? My first Fuller FM blog story ended with Napoli and Fiorentina battling it out for the Serie A scudetto – and now history is repeating itself. Only this time, I’m managing the Partenopei, rather than the Viola.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is the FINAL chapter of “Canzone Napoletana”. My retro Championship Manager 3 adventure with Napoli is almost over, and I’m determined to bow out in a blaze of glory. Can my team better the real-life class of 2023 – and successfully defend our league title?

We’re also into the latter stages of the Champions League. Sadly, the arrival of a certain red-nosed Scotsman in Turin last time out means that our dreams of winning the Coppa Italia – and a potential treble – are dead and buried.

So, as the fat Italian tenor warms up his vocal chords, it’s time to kick off the finale… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 15” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 14

Published on by Chris Fuller

This is the penultimate chapter of my Championship Manager 3 series with Napoli. I hope you have enjoyed the ride so far, because I sure have!

Last time out, we kicked off the 2002/2003 season – and our defence of the Serie A scudetto. Things are going fine so far, but how long will our watertight defence last?

And what about the Champions League? Can we win our group keep alive our hopes of bringing the European Cup to the San Paolo? Let’s find out… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 14” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 13

Published on by Chris Fuller

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After four seasons in Naples, I am about to begin the final lap of my Championship Manager 3 adventure.

The 2001/2002 season saw Napoli mount a serious title challenge, as they attempted to win their first scudetto since 1990. I won’t spoil the ending here – but if you haven’t read Part 12 yet, then you probably should.

Caught up yet? Good. Now let’s kick off the 2002/2003 season, which will be my last at the San Paolo… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 13” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 12

Published on by Chris Fuller

My fourth season with Napoli on Championship Manager 3 is reaching a climax… and it’s sure to be a thrilling conclusion.

It’s March 2002, and the Partenopei are on the verge of history. Just 12 matches stand between them and an unbeaten Serie A season – and though they have missed on one cup competition, they’re still in the running for another.

However, a disappointing end to the previous chapter has left Napoli fans feeling nervous about the run-in. Can we bounce back and finish the season with a major trophy, or is there going to be yet more heartache? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 12” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 11

Published on by Chris Fuller

Things are heating up in my Championship Manager 3 challenge with Napoli, where I have been attempting to transform the Partenopei from Serie B chumps to Serie A champs.

In the last chapter, Napoli enjoyed a strong start to the 2001/2002 season. That was thanks in no small part to Filippo Inzaghi, who has been in fine scoring form since his summer arrival from Juventus.

Now… can Napoli keep their scudetto challenge on track? And could another Italian superstar be on his way (back) to the San Paolo? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 11” →