EA has dropped Manager Mode from FIFA 11.

Before you cry at a decision more dreadful than that by a certain Uruguayan referee during the World Cup, a new Career Mode has been built from scratch for FIFA 11. Career mode will allow players to play through a footballer’s career as a player, player-manager and then a manager – or any of the three.

A brand new transfer window, a new calendar system and a friends leaderboard are just a few of the new additions, You will have to confirm personal details with players with a new two-stage transfer system, although vastly improved search options will help you search for your ideal players. A new interface will show you a couple of stories, the league table and top scorers as well as a career rating and further menu options. Injuries seem distinctly different with a wider variety of injuries, increased likelihood and a vaster array of length.

You will be able to (finally) use players created in the Creation Centre in the new Career Mode, so you can create an entire team based around you and your mates, or (as I did in Worms all those years ago) recreate the cast of Star Trek.

After my initial reaction of disappointment, Career Mode sounds like a fantastic addition to the FIFA franchise and only time will tell if it really plays out as such.