Ultra-Realistic Football Manager – how to make your FM save the most lifelike simulation ever

I thought it would be handy to get all the upgrades you should have for your Football Manager save in one place. I’ve written previous articles on the best transfer updates, the best add-ons to buy, how to fix finances, etc., but I’ve never done a comprehensive piece covering everything you need to download to optimise your Football Manager experience so it actually feels like you’re playing in 2025.

FM24’s been out for almost two years now, and if you’re still using the original database, it’s going to feel like you’re playing a retro save. In that version, Gabriel Jesus is still one of the best players on the planet, Lamine Yamal is about 14 years old, and Manchester United are… well, still bad. So let’s dive into all the crucial upgrades you need to make sure your game feels as current as possible in July 2025.

How to add hidden files

Before we get into the downloads, I thought I’d give a quick guide on how to add these files if you’re using a MacBook. Purely because this process is the bane of my life every time I download, and I don’t want you to go through the same pain I do.

Here’s how to find your hidden Library folder:

1. Open Finder.
2. In the top menu, click Go > Go to Folder…
3. Paste this in: ~/Library/Application Support/Sports Interactive
4. Hit Enter.

The Library folder inside your user directory is hidden by default, which is why you can’t just navigate to it directly in Finder unless you go through this route.

For Windows, below are the instructions:

If you’re on Windows, your Football Manager files like save games, editor data, and graphics are tucked away in a hidden folder by default. Here’s how to dig them out so you can start dropping in all those juicy facepacks, skins, and databases.

Step 1: Open the AppData folder

• Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to bring up the Run box.
• Type this in: %appdata%
• Hit Enter and you’ll land in the Roaming folder.

Step 2: Find the Sports Interactive folder

Once you’re in Roaming, look for:

mathematicaCopyEditSports Interactive

Open that up, and you’ll see folders for your Football Manager games (like Football Manager 2025).

Can’t see AppData? Here’s the fix

The AppData folder is hidden by default, but don’t panic:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click the View tab (on Windows 10) or View > Show (on Windows 11)
3. Tick Hidden items

Now head back to C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming and you should see it.

Right, that’s sorted, let’s get into the crucial files you need.

Update for player transfers

When it comes to keeping your database fully up-to-date and fresh, nobody does it better than Sortitoutsi. They’ve been my go-to for years. Here’s how they describe it on their website:

“Our Updated FM2024 Database is the best Football Manager update with all the latest real-life transfers and squads for FM24. It’s updated daily, so whenever you start a new Football Manager 2024 career, come back here and download the latest data update for FM24. You’ll be guaranteed the most up-to-date and realistic FM24 database possible.”

What’s included?

• FM2024 latest transfers
• Updated squads
• Updated leagues
• Promotions and relegations
• New wonderkids
• Dynamic attributes for unique saves

Because it’s user-submitted, you won’t find a more up-to-date option. Other databases usually update every couple of weeks – which, in the chaotic world of football transfers, may as well be a lifetime.

You can find their data update here.

Update for promotions and relegations

That said, I’ve found Sortitoutsi’s database isn’t always spot-on when it comes to promotions and relegations. They’re flawless for transfers, but sometimes you need an extra save file to get the updated leagues for the 2025/26 season.

For this, I recommend Passion4FM’s league update database. A quick heads-up: this won’t work alongside the Sortitoutsi data update. So what I do is use Sortitoutsi for transfers across every country except the one I’m managing in, and then I use Passion4FM’s for my chosen league. That way you get the best of both worlds – up-to-date transfers and accurate league structures.

It’s also available on the Steam Workshop, so all you need to do is click Subscribe and it’ll automatically load next time you start a new save.

Alternative

If neither of those works for you, there’s an alternative from FM Inside. I haven’t used this one myself, so I can’t fully vouch for its accuracy, but it’s the second most downloaded option and comes from a reputable source. It’s also available on Steam Workshop for an easy install.

Fixing the finances

I’ve already written a whole article about this mod, but it’s worth mentioning again. There’s a brilliant add-on you can download to fix finances and transfer budgets in Football Manager.

This database adjusts:

• Transfer budgets
• Wage structures
• Release clauses
• AI transfer behaviour
• And more.

It’s another crucial step for realism and immersion. You’ll find it on the Steam Workshop under the name Transfer Budgets Mega Fix 24.3.

The In-Game Editor

No matter how many add-ons you download, there’s always going to be something they miss – and you’ll notice it even more when managing your own team. Maybe it’s a wage that looks absurd, a missing transfer clause, or a squad registration quirk. Usually, these are tiny errors, but they can break immersion.

That’s where the in-game editor comes in. There’s a free editor, but it only works before starting a save. The in-game editor costs £6.99 and lets you make changes mid-save.

Reviews for it are mixed at best, but I’ve had no issues since using it. It’s perfect for quick tweaks, experiments, or (if you’re feeling cheeky) giving yourself a mega transfer budget. Think of it as Football Manager’s version of the Sims’ “motherlode” cheat. Just be warned: if anyone sees you using it, you will get accused of cheating.

Final Thoughts

There are countless other mods and tweaks out there – from logo packs and kit packs for visual realism to experimental match engine fixes. But in this article, I’ve focused on the add-ons that keep your database as current as possible.

Have I missed any essential upgrades? Let me know in the comments – I’m always on the lookout for more ways to make FM feel like 2025.