Sega and Sports Interactive’sFootball Managerserieshas cemented its place as thetop management simulatorof the world’s most-watched sport. Games likeFIFAManagerandLMA Managerhave come and gone as they were unable to matchFootball Manager,which hit the ground running in 2005 after Sports Interactive left the critically acclaimedChampionship Managerseries.
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One of the many features that sets the series apart is its in-depth scouting of real players. Sports Interactive’s extensive scouting is so impressive, in fact, thatin 2009 Premier League side Everton partnered with Sports Interactive to have access to their scouts' full findings.
The continued disappointment overEA’sFIFAseriesis seeing more and more people give the management sim a try.Football Manageris certainly not a game that one can just pick up and play, though, as the reams of information and details that need to be monitored and managed can be overbearing for first-time players. Getting the hang ofFootball Manager 21may be tricky, but this list aims to help new players hit the ground running.
Updated July 11, 2025, by Jack Pursey:Football Manager 21has recently been added to Microsoft’s value-for-money Game Pass service, along with other sporting titles likeMadden 21andNBA 2k21, whileFIFA 21andMLB: The Show 21are scheduled to hit the subscription service soon. Consequently, there has been a whole wave of new players trying the management series out for the first time, undoubtedly sharing the confusion that all gamers have when first trying aFootball Managergame. To give these new players some extra help, we’ve decided to expand this list by a further five entries.
15Avoid Teams With Unrealistic Targets Or Financial Issues
For experiencedFootball Managerplayers, selecting a team that is either severely underperforming or has significant financial issues can be one of the most enjoyable and potentially rewarding challenges that the game has to offer.
However, delving into such a difficult task isn’t recommended for new players, as the complexities can quickly becoming overbearing, and players will find themselves out of a job before they’ve even had a chance to get to grips with how to play.
14Play In A League You’re Familiar With
On a similar note to the previous entry, picking a league that players already have pre-existing knowledge of is a great way for them to get started with the game. Not only will it make players more understanding of some of the information being thrown at them, but it will also give them a better idea of how to manage and set up their own team, as well as how best to tactically outclass their opposition.
13Don’t Rush Through The First Season
In any sports game, getting to the end of the season is almost always the most exciting part, so consequently, players tend to want to reach it as soon as possible. This is especially the case inFootball Manager 21as the end of the season is when players get to indulge in the transfer market.
However, taking it slow and steady is the best course of action for new players inFootball Manager 21.Not only because players will gain a far better understanding of the game, but they’re also more likely to be successful due to spending more time looking at the information presented to them through the season.
12Don’t Skip The Tutorials
Not skipping tutorials may sound like an obvious piece of advice, though it’s worth repeating as the game’s tutorials are both plentiful and easy to skip, making it tempting for new players to do so.
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Although it may feel tedious at times, reading every tutorial is certainly worth doing, as it will pay off in the future when players are presented with pages of stats without having a clue where or how to begin dissecting it.
11Pick A Slow Match Speed
As one would expect in a series that has had as many entries asFootball Manager, the latest entry’s match options are very fleshed out. It’s best that players take things slow with matches when first starting out, as it will give them a chance to understand all of the match-day features.
Moreover,in some versions of the game, there’s even an “Instant Result” button which, as the name suggests, stimulates the entire game without players having to lift a finger; it’s a handy feature if players have a match they’re not interested in, but it should be used sparingly as it will provide very little insight into the match.
10Utilize Your Staff
As previously mentioned, as a new player it’s easy to become flustered by the numerous amounts of features to manage. Thankfully, you’re not alone when it comes to managing your squad, as the support staff are there to help.
Almost all ofFootball Manager’s gameplay mechanics can be delegated to staff. From transfers to player contracts to training to media handling, your staff can control these aspects so that new players can get to grips with the key mechanics of the game before delving into its more complex aspects.
9Don’t Rush Recruitment
For both new and experienced players, transfers can be the most exciting aspect ofFootball Manager.UnlikeFIFAthough, there’s far more to consider than just whether or not a player has good attributes.
Does the player fit into your team tactically? Will their personality clash with your squad? Do they have a discipline issue? Do you want them to speak the club’s native language? Does the player fit into the board’s vision for the club? These are just some of the considerations that you should have when purchasing a new player.
8Scouting Assignments
Following on from the previous point, scouting is fundamental to a club’s recruitment plans. Unlike in most sports games,Football Managerwon’t just provide a list of the game’s players with all of their stats readily available to look over. There are around 500,000 players inFootball Manager, and finding the right one for your team will require extensive scouting.
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Scouts can be assigned to watch certain players, follow a specific team, monitor an entire league, or scout broadly for a specific position and playstyle that you’re looking for. Furthermore, scouting is essential for match-preparation as scouts can produce reports on a team’s tactical approach.
7Don’t Ignore The Club’s Vision
At the start of each season, a senior figure at the club that you manage will lay-out their vision. This vision usually consists of transfer policies, tactical preferences, and expected results for both the short-term and long-term future of the club.
These visions aren’t just a general guideline, they’re essential for ensuring that your bosses are satisfied with your performance. Not abiding by the club’s vision is a risky move as although it will be overlooked if results are going well, these issues will be brought up in meetings when the team is performing badly and it could cost you your job.
6Individual Training
It’s all well and good creating and fine-tuning a tactical approach that you like, but if your players aren’t suited for it, it’s a waste of time. Thankfully, the game’s individual training screen allows managers to mold their players into perfect fits for their team.
For example, if you want to play with attacking full-backs that whip crosses in likeJürgen Klopp Liverpool, then you can set your player’s role to Wing Back (Attack) and give them an additional focus of crossing. As should be expected in the unforgivingFootball Managerseries, your player isn’t always going to successfully adapt to the desired playstyle, but when they do, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences that the game has to offer.
