4 Things We Want in the Next Football Manger

With the heartbreaking news that the next instalment of the Football Manager franchise has been cancelled, let's take a look at 4 features we want to see when the next FM rolls around.

1.) Make fatigue realistic

Modern football is more intense than ever, and Football Manager should reflect that. High-tempo, high-pressing systems like gegenpress or constant pressure aren't sustainable across a potentially 60-game season yet in the game, you can often get away with deploying these tactics indefinitely without much punishment.

2.) Smarter Transfer Negotiations

Right now, transfers can feel like a convoluted numbers game. In reality, while cash is king, it's about relationships, timing, and pressure. Introducing things like agents leaking news to the press and clubs using media to drive up prices could really enhance the experience. More realistic strategies could be interesting too, like including sell-on clauses, buying rights to a player's image, or locking down a wonderkid early with a pre-contract.

3.) Improved Youth Development and Academies

Let's bring some magic back to youth academies. Instead of a random youth intake, give us more control and insight. Staff scouting trips, youth tournaments, partnerships with local clubs, or even youth philosophies we can implement (like Ajax's "Total Football" or Barcelona's 'La Masia-style' development). Watching a 16-year-old develop over seasons into a club legend should feel earned and meaningful and what makes the game great.

4.) Smarter, More Realistic Match Engine

Prior to FM 25's cancellation, developers Sports Interactive had said we would be getting a new interface for the latest instalment, not looking like a spreadsheet like it has all these years. The match engine also needs to feel more alive. Movements are too rigid, with predictable patterns and limited variety. We want smarter AI, natural player behaviour, and dynamic elements like weather, pitch wear, and crowd momentum. Let tactics look and feel different in action, not just on paper.

With no further news in regards to a release date, we all hope that we will get our latest edition of Football Manager sooner rather than later and hopefully with some long overdue alterations.