EFL Football Manager Cup Announced

EFL Football Manager Cup Announced

Tournament to kick off from Monday 20th April

If you’re missing the thrill of seeing Leeds United in action on the pitch, then the EFL might just have the next best thing.

Alongside Football Manager and their official charity partner, Mind, the EFL are bringing you the EFL Football Manager Cup – an FM tournament that will take place over the next month.

Fifty four Clubs from across the EFL, each represented by a virtual manager, will face off in a straight knockout competition with the final two teams left standing facing off in the showpiece final in mid-May. 

After an exhaustive process which saw over 300 applicants apply for the vacant position of Leeds United's Virtual Manager, the club finally whittled it down to fan Rob Callery.

On being appointed to the new role, Callery couldn't hide his delight by  tweeting "Over the moon and so proud to represent the greatest team and the best fans in the world! Let’s do this!!".

Initial reaction to the new appointment has been mixed, with many upset that they hadn't been chosen, but there were messages of support from the likes of @LeedsUtd1992 who said "I just wanted to tell you, good luck. We’re all counting on you". Expectations will be high for the new manager, @Allcheese1 summing it up perfectly "Brilliance comes as standard, we don't take prisoners." 

The draw for Round One will take place live on the FM Twitter page at 3pm tomorrow, 19 April and those matches will take place from Monday 20 April until Thursday 23 April. Ten teams will be given a first-round bye and go straight into the second round.

After each round is completed, Football Manager will be uploading highlights onto the FM YouTube channel for you to catch up on all of the action and there will be a full written round-up on the FM website.

As well as supporting your team during the tournament, you can also show your support for the EFL’s charity partner, Mind, the mental health charity. In these tough times their services are needed more than ever so while you’re being entertained by the action, please consider donating here.

EFL FOOTBALL MANAGER CUP SCHEDULE

  • Round One draw – Sunday 19 April
  • Round One match dates – Monday 20 April to Thursday 23 April
  • Round Two – week commencing 27 April
  • The ‘Round of 16’ – week commencing 4 May
  • The Quarter Finals – 11 May to 14 May
  • The Semi-Finals – Saturday 16 May
  • The Final – Sunday 17 May
THE TEAMS AND THEIR MANAGERS

AFC Wimbledon – Rob Tuvey (U18s Manager)
Birmingham City – Lee Camp (Player)
Blackburn Rovers – Adam Armstrong (Player)
Blackpool FC – Cameron (Supporter)
Bolton Wanderers – Paul Huddy (Kitman)
Bradford City – Kieran Devanny (Supporter)
Brentford FC – Sam Jacques (Supporter)
Bristol City – Mikey Cobban (YouTuber/Supporter)
Bristol Rovers – Mikey Bell (Ex-Professional Rugby Player)
Carlisle United – Riegan Thompson (Supporter)
Charlton Athletic – Alex Avery (Marketing Manager)
Colchester United – Ollie Kensdale (Player)
Coventry City – Ryan Lawrence (Supporter)
Crawley Town – Sam Gadsdon (Social Media Admin)
Crewe Alexandra – Jack Marsland (Supporter)
Derby County – Paul Wilson (Supporter)
Doncaster Rovers – Luke Benniston (Supporter)
Exeter City – Nicky Law (Player)
Forest Green Rovers – Chris Stokes (Player)
Fulham FC – Charlie Cooper (Star of This Country)
Huddersfield Town – Karlan Grant (Player)
Ipswich Town – Joe Fairs (Supporter)
Leeds United – Rob Callery (Supporter)
Leyton Orient – Dan Williams 
Lincoln City – Thomas Kelsey (YouTuber)
Luton Town – George Osborn (Ukie)
Macclesfield Town – Daniel Fry (FM WEC Champion)
Mansfield Town – Jamie King (Supporter)
Middlesbrough – Neil Trewick (Supporter)
MK Dons – George Williams (Player)
Newport County – Gareth Swattridge (FM Researcher)
Northampton Town – Leigh Reeve (FM Creators’ Cup Champion)
Nottingham Forest – Joe Lolley (Player)
Oldham Athletic – Jonny Smith (Player)
Peterborough United – Kevin Chapman/Lollujo (YouTuber)
Plymouth Argyle – Luke Omega (Gamer)
Port Vale – Jim Martin
Portsmouth FC – TBC
Preston North End – James Moulding (Supporter)
Queens Park Rangers – Rob Facey (Supporter)
Rochdale AFC – Elliott Howells (Supporter)
Rotherham United – Matt Neil (First-team Analyst)
Salford City – Cameron Burgess (Player)
Scunthorpe United – Harry Jamieson (Backroom staff)
Shrewsbury Town – Shaun Whalley (Player)
Southend United – Ellis Gamon (Supporter)
Swansea City – Gareth Richards (Supporter)
Swindon Town – Lewis Hathaway/FM Doop (FM Streamer)
Tranmere Rovers – James Knipe 
Walsall FC – Ryan Duckhouse
West Bromwich Albion – Romaine Sawyers (Player)
Wigan Athletic – Jordan Coyle
Wycombe Wanderers – Craig Anderson (Supporter)

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