Football Manager 25 dev Sports Interactive needs to address 5 huge issues before launch

Sports Interactive have found themselves in completely new territory facing a huge delay for Football Manager 25 and rapidly declining fan enthusiasm. As bleak as things feel right now, hitting rock bottom might mean there’s only one way to go—up.

After the massive delay rocked the Football Manager fanbase, here’s what SI needs to address to win back the fan base and generate some genuine excitement around the sports simulation game again.

Set a Clear Vision For Football Manager 2026

My biggest concern about this year’s game delay is that it could impact Football Manager 2026, possibly leading to further franchise delays down the line. If the game’s release starts to consistently lands toward the end of each season, many fans will simply lose interest.

To avoid that, Sports Interactive should consider releasing a clear, transparent roadmap for Football Manager 2026. They obviously don’t have to divulge every detail, but giving fans an idea of what they’re working on—and how they’ll avoid repeating this year’s missteps—could go a long way in restoring confidence for the next game cycle.

Deliver Game-Changing Upgrades

Fans were excited for Football Manager 2025 because of promised updates like an overhauled match engine, better graphics, and improved regen faces. With the delay, the bar for quality is now even higher, and SI has to meet it. If they deliver a drastically improved gameplay experience, players will quickly overlook the extra wait.

If the game releases without significant upgrades—or if persistent issues still remain unresolved—fans will become even more frustrated. The expectations for the upcoming game are now monumental. SI needs to ensure the wait is worthwhile and deliver a truly game-changing version of Football Manager.

Incorporate Fan-Favorite Features for an Easy Win

Positive public perception is crucial, and SI has the option to win back frustrated fans with relatively easy improvements. The lack of data update shows they might not have the resources for every big change, but small additions—like the ability to manage as an interim or youth team manager, or enhanced realism in AI conversations—could go a long way in restoring goodwill (I’m sure that actually implementing these changes is harder than I’m making out)

Improve Communication and Avoid Previous Missteps

The rollout for Football Manager 2025 has been chaotic so far to say the least. SI opened up pre-orders, announced a roadmap, and then delayed the game just a week later. This kind of miscommunication has left fans feeling misled.

The pre-orders were announce on September 30th and I had received a message on October 3rd that staff had been informed of the delay. These decisions take weeks to come to, so it’s unacceptable that during that period they still announced pre-orders. Hopefully, SI has learned from this experience and will approach future launches with greater transparency and honesty towards the fanbase.

Skip Football Manager 2025

What if SI skipped Football Manager 2025 entirely? Taking a one-year hiatus could allow them to dedicate all their resources to Football Manager 2026, ensuring it’s a polished, exciting release rather than a rushed product. While I recognise the financial reasons why SI will probably not pursue this route, it’s worth considering. Imagine a year off where the game returns stronger, free from the burden of rushed development. My dream scenario is that they take the hit for one year, and next year they come back stronger than ever.

Give me your thoughts on what I’ve said and let me know what you think Sports Interactive and Football Manager need to address.

About the Author

William Reid

William is the admin of Out of Context Football Manager, an X account that focuses on FM news. He's worked for LADbible Group and is VG's resident FM expert.