Eidos Interactive have today announced that CM2006 is set to be released in the new year, while I was a massive fan of their earlier games I am of the opinion FM2005 was a lot better than EI's offering last year, lets hope this one is better.

Eidos Interactive, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today announces that Championship Manager 2006 will be released in the UK in Spring 2006 on PC.

Developed by London based Beautiful Game Studios (BGS), the all-new 2006 version offers a wide range of innovative new features and is the most realistic version to date, offering the player a true taste of football management.

Championship Manager 2006 boasts a brand new GameplanTM 3D match engine, where players can watch their match unfold in the same way they watch the match on TV – but with the ability to adjust tactics, player positions or formations – or simply use the Highlight Filter to select the moments they want to watch.

Interact with your squad as you speak with your players for the first time: make promises to individual players to improve their mood or form. But as in real life, if promises are broken, trust is lost and there are consequences – with the new player status screen, monitor the mood and form of every player.

Championship Manager 2006 now offers the ability to scout in depth with its new 'Simulate world' option. For the first time, users will be able to view authentic player's performance stats outside the nation managed, all with no noticeable speed reduction! Scouting will never be the same again.

Implemented in Championship Manager 2006 are accurate fitness regimes devised by Mervyn Day, first team coach at Charlton Athletic. Study your opposition's current form through parallel match processing. Watch their previous matches through the GameplanTM 3D engine, before you face them whilst the game progresses.

Or choose a wealthy Club Benefactor for an instant cash injection, but with more money comes more demands and a greater need for immediate success.

Championship Manager 2006 allows you to manage your club to glory, dealing with everything from tactics and training to transfers - everything you would expect a real-life football manager to do without owning a sheepskin coat.

You can visit the official site for more information.