Is Football Manager too hard, too easy, or just right?

It’s a question that’s been asked time and again about Football Manager (mostly by me, when I’m scrambling to fund my McDonald’s addiction with Twitter ad revenue): is the game we all love too difficult, or is it just a walk in the park? This isn’t just idle speculation, either—it’s a question with big implications for the game’s future. If it’s too hard, it risks alienating new players who might otherwise become devoted fans. But if it’s too easy, regular players could lose that vital sense of achievement that makes every promotion, every cup win, and every wonderkid signing feel so rewarding.

Whichever way the scales tip, it’s a delicate balance to maintain, and the consequences could be huge. So, I’m here to settle the debate once and for all. After this, we can all move on with our lives, safe in the knowledge that the case is closed.

Why the game is too hard Let’s be real: Football Manager can be absolutely brutal for casual players. Its depth is both its greatest strength and its biggest stumbling block for newbies. The game throws an almost overwhelming number of systems at you, from tactics and training to scouting and recruitment.

While most games offer an “easy mode” to help you ease in (okay, playing as Manchester City probably counts), Football Manager expects you to dive headfirst into the deep end. I still remember my first foray into the game back in 2007. I opened it up, saw the tactical screen, and immediately thought, “Nope.

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