Football Manager 25 Sports Interactive developer needs to address five major issues before launch

Sports Interactive has found itself in completely new territory facing a huge delay for Football Manager 25 and fan enthusiasm is rapidly waning. As bleak as things seem right now, hitting rock bottom could mean there’s only one way to go: up.

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

My biggest concern about this year’s game being delayed is that it could impact Football Manager 2026, possibly causing further delays to the franchise in the future. If the game’s release starts to steadily arrive towards the end of each season, many fans will simply lose interest.

To avoid that, Sports Interactive should consider publishing a clear and transparent roadmap for Football Manager 2026. They obviously don’t have to divulge all the details, but they do have to give fans an idea of ​​what they are working on and how they will avoid repeats. This year’s mistakes could go a long way toward restoring confidence for the next cycle of games.

Offer innovative updates

Fans were excited about Football Manager 2025 due to promised updates such as an overhauled match engine, better graphics, and improved respawn faces. With the delay, the quality bar is now even higher and YES has to face it. If they offer a drastically improved gaming experience, players will quickly overlook the extra wait.

If the game releases without significant updates, or if lingering issues are still not resolved, fans will be even more frustrated. The expectations for the next match are now monumental. SI needs to make sure it’s worth the wait and deliver a truly game-changing version of Football Manager.

Incorporate fan-favorite features for easy wins

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

Improve communication and avoid previous mistakes

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

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

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

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

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