Football Manager has long been a familiar name for gamers and football fans alike. It has coexisted with them for two decades, letting dreamers govern a world where strategy meets the pitch. At Prensa Ibérica there was a chance to thoroughly test the final build of Football Manager 2024, and after fifty hours with the title, here are the impressions of this latest entry in the franchise. Developed by Sports Interactive and published by SEGA, this management saga continues to draw football enthusiasts worldwide for another season thanks to its clear, deliberate design and strategic depth.
The core aim of Football Manager is to let players steer football at any level, from club teams to national sides. Classic European coaching traditions shape the game, which means handling not only tactical and managerial duties but also the recruitment and negotiation of coaching staff. Transfers, player contracts, and squad building sit at the heart of the experience, while the player also bears responsibility for the club’s financial health through the transfer market.
New modes and databases
The virtual coach now faces an unprecedented choice at the start of a save, with two new game modes offering a highly personalized path. Beyond the traditional mode, which assumes a seamless transfer window since the last market closure, two new variants redefine how the game unfolds. In Real World mode transfers are only finalized when they occur in real time (for example, a transfer that happens on a specific date is reflected then), while Your World mode lets players lead the club without tying to real-world events, offering an alternate timeline where yesterday’s events may swing in different directions.
Competition period
Alongside these new modes, FM 24 brings a long-awaited expansion: the Japanese league is now part of the database. Fans eager to manage a club like Tokyo Verdy in Japan’s second division can dive in. A standout addition is the Transfer Room, a space where agents can be hired and mediations occur with a clear commission on the final deal. This feature also enables direct dialogue between managers and players to spark interest for the upcoming season. Naturally, some negotiations require tact and compromise to close the best arrangements.
Complete reformulation of fixed parts
On the tools side, one of the most notable changes concerns set plays. The system moves beyond simple routine creation, allowing the manager to design tactics with minute attention to offense and defense. A new technical role, the Set Ball coach, joins the staff to ensure these routines are practiced and executed with precision across matches.
Historically, the franchise has faced challenges with the behavior of computer-controlled coaches, especially in the transfer market where some managers might conduct deals without sufficient games at the helm. In Football Manager 2024, transfers orchestrated by AI managers align more closely with the tactical framework of the hiring club, strengthening team goals and coherence. The world’s top clubs continue to scout and sign promising young players, yet development now often extends to the final moments of matches, creating natural pathways for growth in the football ecosystem.
Logic in interactions
Interpersonal dynamics are also expanded in Football Manager 2024. Managers can challenge players during one-on-one conversations to push for goals within a set timeframe. This system helps retain motivated athletes who may not yet be ready for a bigger role but could grow into important contributors later in the season.
Even with a planned engine switch to Unity next year, Sports Interactive continues to optimize the current technology that has powered the series since 2009. Improvements to player behavior and defensive movement create a more realistic watching experience, and the enhanced ball physics elevates match immersion. Lighting updates further deepen the sense of being on the field in real, high-stakes moments.
in the community
The franchise has always thrived on its community, with players sharing custom training plans, databases, tactics, and mods. Alt realities, strategic variations, and even user interfaces can be imported and exported, reinforcing a vibrant, collaborative fan base aligned with the series.
Results
Despite keeping the core foundation intact, Football Manager 2024 delivers fresh content that excites the fan base while respecting the franchise’s roots. The ongoing demand for updates—driven by a massive player database—continues to keep the experience engaging year after year. Sports Interactive maintains a steady cadence, delivering a solid, time-tested product that invites players to lose themselves in the rhythm of the game. The experience remains compelling, making time slip away as players chase glory through the season. This is a title that rewards patience, planning, and persistence, with a world-class feel that appeals to both long-time followers and new recruits. [Citation: Prensa Ibérica review]