LMA Manager

Did You Know?

• The first LMA Manager video game was released in 1999 for the PlayStation, featuring 8,000 players and 294 clubs in 32 countries.
• In LMA Manager 2001, Birmingham City's Bryan Hughes was incorrectly listed as 29 instead of his actual age of 24.
• LMA Manager 2002 on PS2 allowed players to manage in six European leagues simultaneously, including the top two divisions of Italy, Spain, Germany, and France.

LMA Manager 2001

The second LMA game, released in March 2001 on PlayStation, came in two versions: one for English leagues and another covering the Scottish Premier and Football Leagues. In-match action was presented by former footballer and BBC analyst Alan Hansen. This version is noted for differences from the 2002 edition, including wingers cutting inside to shoot from extreme angles and goalkeepers tipping shots just inside the far post, leading to frequent frustration. It also contains errors, such as Birmingham City's Bryan Hughes being listed as 29 instead of his actual age of 24, and occasional oddities like defenders picking up the ball in their own penalty box and kicking it out like a goalkeeper. Gameplay lasts 30 seasons, shorter than the original's 50 seasons.

LMA Manager 2002

Released on 2 November 2001, LMA 2002 was the final PlayStation version in the series. While primarily an update from the 2001 version, it served as a stepping stone to later iterations. The first PlayStation 2 incarnation, also named LMA Manager 2002, launched in April 2002 and added the top two divisions of Italy, Spain, Germany, and France alongside the existing English and Scottish leagues, with all leagues processed simultaneously. On PS2, matches play out in full 3D, followed by post-match highlights voiced by BBC presenter Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen. In-match style changed, with players shooting from around thirty yards rather than entering the penalty area.

LMA Manager 2004

Released on 12 March 2004 for PS2 and Xbox, this version added enhancements to the match engine and new post-match commentary by Barry Davies, alongside Lineker and Hansen. A new 'Fantasy Team' mode replaced the earlier 'Challenge Mode', allowing users to build a team from scratch with a preallocated budget, then compete in one of the game's leagues. On Xbox only, players could issue tactical instructions via the Xbox Communicator headset during a match. A second edition updated squads from the January 2004 transfer window.

LMA Manager 2006

Released on 18 November 2005 for PS2 and Xbox, LMA 2006 added three playable divisions from the Dutch and Portuguese leagues, along with enhancements to the 3D match, transfer market, and player training, including playable 3D Training Matches for the first time. The Xbox version allowed uploading high scores via Xbox Live. A new option let players create a 3D model of their manager, visible pacing the touchlines during matches or appearing in video headlines such as introducing a new signing.

The transfer system is complex, permitting player swaps and instalments, but limits the player to four transfers using contract clauses (e.g., a 10% sell-on clause or £75,000 after fifteen appearances). Using clauses reduces the transfer fee, but after all four are used, further attempts result in a message that the selling club cannot afford to let the player go. Once a player acquired with a clause is sold, another clause-based purchase becomes available.

A PC version developed by Codemasters was scheduled for Spring 2006 alongside an Xbox 360 version, but both slipped, making LMA Manager 2007 a tri-format release.