It wasn't the biggest jump, but thanks to their reflexes the Americans are currently leading the race. Anyway, let's get to the point. FIFA Manager 09 will obviously have all the features of its predecessor. The creators, as usual, put a lot of effort into the game's interface. In the opinion of many users the one from the previous version became tiring after some time. This time it is to be different – the main menu features new controls and buttons allowing to change their arrangement, as well as the mechanism of remembering the phrases most commonly searched for. More changes took place, however, in the team picking and formations screens which have been completely redeveloped making them much easier to use and giving the users more possibilities.

Next improvements were made to the match view, e.g. animated spectators, advanced stadium generator (this tool's purpose is to recreate any possible stadium in the world in just a couple of minutes), new sounds. There will be also an opportunity to change the displayed information, for instance deciding on permanent display of a league table or teams' and players' statistics. The user's influence on the game's interface is one of the features the creators take pride in. It's not about the layout only, though – a user will be able to edit the database by adding players, teams and leagues (!), or press conference statements. Speaking of the database – it features over 1500 clubs and 25000 players, 7000 of whose have their real photos.

Going back to the match for a while – in FIFA Manager 09 a new text mode will have its première, the tactical changes could be made without stopping the play, and the beginners will be aided by an Assistant who will analyse the match minute by minute and inform about players playing poorly, losing their fitness, and even about the tactical problems the team is struggling with. The backroom staff has been extended featuring now over 20 people specialising in totally different areas (there is even a position for a... lawyer). It's worth mentioning that a manager changing clubs will now be able to take his co-workers with him.

For afters, there has been added a Match Prognosis Tool that will enable us to predict the result of a real-life match. It's enough to pick two teams, chose the line-ups, additionally even assign current form and condition to the players, and you can find out the score and go straight to the bookie. No connection to the game whatsoever, but what a fun! Anyway, it's quite a bold action from the creators putting their match engine to a really tough test...

Official FIFA Manager 09 announcement

EA Sports have also published first screenshots. Judge by yourself whether the change of interface turned out for the good.