Championship Manager 01/02 remains the gold standard of football management simulators. Decades after its release, gamers are still loading up the database to experience its lightning-fast processing speeds and legendary rosters.
While the original database (v3.9.60) holds the crown for pure nostalgia, the 3.9.68 database—the final official data update released by Sports Interactive—is widely considered the most balanced and polished version to play.
If you are looking to conquer the football world with bargain wonderkids and undisputed titans in the .68 patch, here is your definitive scouting report. 🛡️ The Defensive Stalwarts Hugo Pinheiro
(GK): A legendary young Portuguese goalkeeper. You can acquire him for a minuscule fee, and he will quickly develop into one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the world. Taribo West
(D L/C): The ultimate cheat code. He begins the game as a free agent. Despite his colorful hairstyles and real-life eccentricities, his in-game attributes are world-class. He will walk into almost any starting eleven for free. Fredrik Risp
(DC): Part of the famous "Super Swede" contingent in the game.
is incredibly cheap, highly consistent, and anchor-strong in the heart of defense.
(D/AM R): Hailing from Cheltenham, Duff is a cult icon. He can be purchased for next to nothing and averages incredibly high match ratings on the right flank. 🧠 The Midfield Geniuses cm 01 02 best players 39 68
(MC): The Scottish sensation playing for Falkirk. Kerr is arguably the most consistent midfielder in the game. He will control the tempo of your matches for over a decade. Kennedy Bakircioglu
(AM/F R/C): Another brilliant Scandinavian talent. He possesses immense flair and creativity, making him the perfect playmaker to sit behind your strikers. Kim Nam-Il
(DMC): This South Korean defensive midfielder is an absolute rock in front of the backline in the .68 database. He breaks up plays flawlessly and costs very little. Julio Arca
(D/AM L): Playing for Sunderland, Arca costs a bit more but is worth every penny. His crossing ability and explosive runs down the left wing are unmatched. ⚽ The Lethal Goalscorers Maxim Tsigalko
(SC): No CM 01/02 list is complete without him. He remains the most legendary fictional/underrated powerhouse in sports gaming history. He is cheap to buy from Minsk and will reliably score 50 to 60 goals a season. Pawel Brozek
(SC): An elite young Polish striker who becomes an absolute goal machine with just a tiny bit of development. Josh Blake
(SC): A true lower-league gem. You can regularly sign him for around £1k, and he will score dozens of goals to drag your team up from the lower divisions. Andri Sigporsson Championship Manager 01/02 remains the gold standard of
(SC): Hailing from Iceland, Sigporsson is a massive physical presence. He wins everything in the air and offers fantastic hold-up play for a bargain price. 💡 Pro-Scouting Tips for the .68 Database
Beware the "Greek Gods": The .68 update is famous for making several young Greek league players vastly overpowered. Keep your eyes locked on names like Nikos Tobros and Anestis Anastasiadis .
Utilize Free Agents Early: On day one, filter your search for players without clubs. Elite veterans and highly-rated youngsters will accept contracts even at smaller clubs. Ignore Low CA/PA : Some players like
have low Current/Potential Ability numbers but perfect "intrinsic" stats for their positions. Trust the on-field match ratings over the hidden scouting numbers!
Who was your go-to must-sign player in the 3.9.68 database? Let us know in the comments below!
Which specific tactical formation are you planning to build around these players for your next save? 3.9.68] - Championship Manager 2001/2002 Forums
| Player | Age | CA | PA | Club | Cost | |--------|-----|----|----|------|------| | Joleon Lescott | 19 | ~55 | 175 | Wolves | £150k | | Lúcio | 23 | ~68 | 185 | Leverkusen | £2m (slightly above range but worth it) | | Walter Samuel | 23 | ~68 | 188 | Roma | £3m | | Joseph Yobo | 21 | ~62 | 178 | Marseille | £500k | Arsenal legend – retired 2002
In standard CM 01/02 gameplay, players retire in their mid-to-late 30s. However, through:
…you can encounter or create players aged 39–68. These aren’t typical wonderkids; they are geriatric legends, immortal glitches, or edited super-seniors with bizarre attribute distributions.
⚠️ No natural 68-year-old exists in the vanilla database. This review assumes you are using mods, editors, or joke databases.
CM 01/02 is famed for its deep scouting and hidden gems. Players with low starting ratings (roughly 39–68) often include youngsters or lesser-known pros who can be trained into stars. Below are notable breakout prospects and types of players to target, plus training and signing tips.
Julius Aghahowa (Shakhtar Donetsk)
| Player | Age | CA | PA | Club | Cost | |--------|-----|----|----|------|------| | Zlatan Ibrahimović | 20 | ~68 | 195 | Ajax | £2.5m | | Adriano | 19 | ~60 | 190 | Inter | £1m (loan with buy option) | | Mido | 18 | ~55 | 185 | Ajax | £500k | | Dirk Kuyt | 21 | ~62 | 178 | Utrecht | £600k |
Danny Butterfield (Grimsby Town)