The Football Manager Data Update that gets as close to FM25 as possible

In the wake of the unexpected cancellation of Football Manager 2025, many fans are left wondering how on earth to keep their virtual managerial careers as realistic as possible. One effective way to bridge the gap is by implementing a data update that ages all players by ONE year and reduces their contract durations accordingly.

This tweak ensures that your game mirrors the current football landscape more accurately, reflecting player aging and contract statuses as they stand today. It’s not going to make up for the loss of FM 25 and the fact we won’t have a game for 24 months, but it’s a start.

If you want some good saves to apply this mod to, you can find them here. And to see what an ex-Sports Interactive employee said about why the delay was inevitable, read what he had to say.

Why This Football Manager Update Matters

With the absence of FM25, maintaining realism in your Football Manager experience is crucial. This update brings your game up to date with the current season, adjusting player ages and contract lengths to reflect real-world changes. For instance, a player who had a two-year contract in your previous save now has just one year remaining.

How to Install the Data Update

Integrating this update into your game is straightforward. Follow these steps to ensure a seamless installation:

1. Download the Data Update:
   • Visit the legends at SortitoutSI Data Update page to access the latest version of the update.
2. Extract the Files:
   • Once downloaded, you’ll receive a .zip file. Extract its contents using your preferred extraction tool.
3. Move the Files to the Correct Directory:
   • For Windows:
     • Navigate to Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2024/editor data.
   • For Mac:
     • Go to Users/YOUR USERNAME/Library/Application Support/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2024/editor data.
   • If the editor data folder doesn’t exist, create it manually.
4. Launch Football Manager:
   • Start the game and begin a new career.
5. Select the Updated Database:
   • In the “Choose Database” section, ensure the new data update is selected before proceeding.
6. Finalize and Play:
   • Complete the new game setup, and you’re ready to experience Football Manager with the most up-to-date data.

A Few Considerations

While this update enhances realism, it’s essential to be aware of a few nuances and issues that this might bring to your save:

• Player Departures: Some players with contracts that have expired in real life might leave your club upon starting a new save. This scenario mirrors real-world contract expirations and free transfers.
• Transfer Windows: The update reflects transfers up to its release date. Any subsequent real-world transfers won’t be included until the next update iteration.

By keeping your game updated with these data modifications, you ensure a more immersive and authentic Football Manager experience, even in the absence of the anticipated FM25 release.

(For a visual guide on installing data updates, you also might find this tutorial helpful)

Football Manager Data Update Installation Tutorial

Final thoughts

While the cancellation of Football Manager 2025 is undoubtedly disappointing, this data update offers a practical solution to keep your managerial journey aligned with the current football season. By implementing these changes, you can continue to enjoy a realistic and engaging Football Manager experience until the next official release. So, ENJOY! And Happy Valentines Day!