World Cup Managers – Championship Manager 1997/98 – USA 2026 | @KingOfTheRooks

Hello and welcome back to the hellscape that is Andrew’s mind. Yes, I am even writing in the third person. That said, you’ll find no water breaks, no sponsored advertisements, no half-time shows to endure 90-year-old Chris Martin from Coldplay trying to be cool. Not even a Diana Ross.

Oh yes, the point of this post! So, as we continue to suffer from World Cup fever, we’ve made Nation entirely made of managers, coaches, scouts or other wild low tier backroom elements from as many nations competing at WC USA 2026 as possible where someone exists in the database.

Which nations have contributed? Well, given there are 39667395937 teams competing this year, I’ll leave it to you the reader to figure that out. Here’s the squad:

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Masters International | One Last Hurrah | @KingOfTheRooks

Hello there! It’s been hard over the past year to find something to try out that gets me going, something outrageous and stupid enough to be entertaining. So, what better than creating a new nation, and assigning a bunch of retired players from the database, as well as a few who should have been shown as retired, and giving them one last go at the World Cup, way past their prime.

So, what does the squad look like?

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A Royale Mess – A Blog Squad Tale | Part Twelve: Merciless Gods | @KingOfTheRooks

Hello and welcome back. Our Scandinavian adventure continues, much to the displeasure of some members of the blogging team who are rooted to the bottom of the table. There were promising signs for Nick’s OB side last time, can it push him on further?

First up Deano takes on Phil and his AaB side. Deano has no idea who his players are or what his game plan was as it’s been 8 weeks since we last got together. It makes no odds as Phil is comfortably brushed aside. The Godfather of Icelandic football having no impact for Phil.

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A Royale Mess – A Blog Squad Tale | Part Eleven: Cereal Penalty Takers | @KingOfTheRooks

Welcome back to our latest venture into how competitive the best Scandinavian sides from CM9798 are against each other. It’s fair to say that since we started there has been a major divide in the league with the bottom three generally cut a drift. Has the transfer window had an impact on reversing anyone’s fortunes yet? Can it?

First up, you guessed it, it’s a cup game. Can Deano’s IFK make it beyond the semi-final against a strong Rangers side? In short, no.

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Celta Vigo 1997/98 – A Secret Santa Blog Part One | @KingOfTheRooks

Well, here we are. The annual treat of being inspired by a mystery kit for our Secret Santa and I have landed in Balaidos with Celta Vigo (thanks Dave). But what is the approach, well, in real life Os Celestes finished 6th in La Liga and reached the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey. The league finish was their best attempt in just over quarter a century. My purpose in this blog will be to better that performance with EXACTLY the same players at my disposal. So let the blog see the squad:

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A Royale Mess – A Blog Squad Tale | Part Ten: Bare Nesetities | @KingOfTheRooks

Hallo, and welcome back! More time to see how our managers react and adapt to their new signings. One thing for sure, if the season so far is anything to go by, it will be goals galore.

First up it is league action. Matt’s AIK are at home to my own Kobenhavn. Games have been quite back and forth and high scoring so let’s see if that changes.

The half time introduction of the secret 6th Simpsons family member makes for a nervy second half but the Wale makes his mark and Kobenhavn come away with a victory. Our Ljung’s were bursting.

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A Royale Mess – A Blog Squad Tale | Part Nine: Re-Brannded | @KingOfTheRooks

Hallo, and welcome back! We’ve had the transfer window which was great fun and now its time for the managers to see if their choices have helped or hindered them.

As ever in Scotland, first up, it’s the cup! A battle between newly refurbished Ross and manager holiday Zak. It looks like its headed for extra time that nobody sitting screensharing post 9pm on a Tuesday wants, and thankfully (for Ross) new boy Karl-Oscar hammers in a winner.

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A Royale Mess – A Blog Squad Tale | Part Eight: The Window of Opportunity | @KingOfTheRooks

Welcome back again! This week’s tale is of the transfer window. Here is a customary reminder of who was allowed to sign how many.

Deano, Nathan and Zak will get 1 transfer, Phil, myself, Ross and Rob will be allowed 3 signings, whilst Dave, Matt and Nick will be afforded 5 new players.

So, who did everyone target. A reminder that everyone was allowed to select any Scandinavian players who began the season at Scandinavian clubs but were not already assigned to one of our teams.

Each manager could provide a list of up to 16 targets in preference order. The draft would see preference go to the lowest ranked team where a tie in selection was made. Any teams tied on points, I’d spin the wheel of misfortune and see who misses out.

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