Alex Ferguson Player Manager 2001 (PS2)

Alex Ferguson Player Manager 2001 contains all the latest information from the Premier Division, the Nationwide divisions, as well as the Scottish and Champions League. All aspects of football management are covered here, from buying and selling players to the less public duties of dealing with the club's accounts and setting the training schedule.

As from any statistically driven sports game, the emphasis is placed on thought and tactics rather than engaging in actual matches. The graphics are good and the menu system comprehensive, yet, frustration might set in as a result of the level of detail available. However, with perseverance, Alex Ferguson Player Manager 2001 is the one of the better football management game available on the PlayStation. --Alex Leung.

Having been a fan of Championship Manager for some time I was a bit hesitant about buying a game of the same genre which didn't measure up in reviews. However, after renting it out to give it a try I ordered my copy the next day.

Like all Footie Management games it takes a little effort learning your way around the menus and working out what to do on a daily basis. But after about a couple of hours I was up and running at full pace.

The game is much quickier to progress through a season as it is simpler than CM. I managed to complete my first season in about a week.

I have a couple of gripes about things which are missing. No youth or reserve team is frustrating if you are accustomed to CM. And the communication with the board is also frustrating as you don't know what they are thinking until they send you a message that you need to get your finger out! But these are minor complaints.

Overall, the game is not Championship Manager but is definitely the best Footie Manager game on a console at the moment. So rather than sit in my study on the PC to play CM I am happy to give up a little functionality and sit in comfort in the lounge to play Player Manager on the PS2. It will do until Eidos get their finger out and port CM to the PS2!


Buy This Now!!!!!   April 3, 2001
Matt Wright (London)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This game is great. Once you get to grips with all the stats you can try to build your championship winning side to take on the best in the league.

This game is more in depth and realistic than the somewhat more arcady LMA Manager series. The training shedules and tactics editor have a great deal of scope.

The actual matches are well put together and you can really see if your team is doing well and if your tactics are working. The match stats help you understand what could be done to improve your team. occasionally the players manage to do some very silly thing on pitch, keepers make a great save one minute and then let in a howler. Also some of your defence manage to score fantastic own goals.

The other oversights include some of the stats. Both Michael Owen and Thierry Henry have poor pace??? Also the loading times are fairly lengthy, it will take you a great deal of time to complete a season.

However, this game is still a quality purchase and the closest you'll get to championship manager on the PC. So if it is realism and more stats than you can shake a very big hat at that you like, then this is the footie management game you need!!


Alex Ferguson's Player Manager 2001   March 9, 2001
This game is fantastic, although you can get very annoyed when losing a game you should win, this is one of those games that once you start you will not be able to stop. the amount of stats will keep you amazed the only draw back being that once you win one game you want to play the next immediately. When you do finally make it to the big time after working your way through the leagues it's quite hard to sell players to buy new. all in all a top game will keep you playing for months let alone weeks.


Great   January 29, 2001
This is a great game with great graphics and is a real insight into what management is all about.


The football fans football manager   November 24, 2000
C A Jones (London)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

The player manager series just goes from strength to strength - Although the reviewers always comment on the slightly dated look and the leisurely pace of the game what they constantly fail to notice is that the actual game play is a real scorcher, none of the rubbish about how much hamburgers cost - just plain old football, picking your team, sorting out you tactics, training the players up. get it wrong and your jobs on the line, get it right and that big name club could come knocking on your door.

The match view options actually let you see what the team is doing and where the weaknesses are in your squad

The after match stats (and there's a lot of them) also pinpoint your weak players and then its trip to the transfer market.

All in all a great improvement of an already great game - Say goodby to your weekends.