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About Football Manager 2021
Football Manager 2021 puts you in charge of a football club, offering a detailed simulation of management duties. Choose from over 2,500 clubs across 50 nations, set tactics, handle transfers, and interact with players, staff, and media. The game features a revamped match engine, expanded data analysis tools, and new recruitment mechanics, all aimed at delivering a realistic managerial experience.
01 / THE GUIDE
Club Selection
The game provides more than 2,500 clubs at every level of the football pyramid across 50 nations, letting you pick a team that matches your ambition. Your choice determines the resources, expectations, and challenges you will face throughout the career.
Each club comes with its own hierarchy, and you must work with them to meet their goals or risk consequences. The breadth of options ensures endless replay value.
- Start with a lower‑tier club to learn the system before moving to a top‑flight team.
- Review the club’s hierarchy expectations early to align your strategy.
02 / THE GUIDE
Tactical Planning
You craft tactical strategies, formations, and styles of play for each match, aiming to maximise the chance of winning three points. The system lets you adjust tactics on the fly and tailor approaches to specific opponents.
The match engine now offers better analysis and advice in the pre‑match build‑up, helping you fine‑tune your plan before kickoff.
- Use pre‑match analysis to spot opponent weaknesses.
- Experiment with different formations during less critical fixtures.
03 / THE GUIDE
Matchday Experience
Every fixture feels like a true spectacle thanks to the best‑looking match engine yet. AI improvements give players faster, more nuanced decision‑making, especially in defence, goalkeeping, and the final third.
Post‑match you receive detailed reaction data, including the new SixG system that rates performance relative to created chances.
- Watch the post‑match SixG rating to identify areas needing tactical tweaks.
- Observe AI behaviour during matches to better understand player tendencies.
04 / THE GUIDE
Interaction System
Communicating with players and the media is now more purposeful. Gestures let you express emotion, while Quick Chats enable short, informal conversations that affect how others perceive you.
Your words have impact; the game tracks how your communication style influences player morale and media perception.
- Use positive gestures after a win to boost morale.
- Keep Quick Chats concise to maintain focus during busy periods.
05 / THE GUIDE
Recruitment & Staff
New staff roles, meetings, and interactions refresh the recruitment process. You can hold recruitment meetings with scouts to align on transfer strategy and even approach agents directly about player interest.
Monthly reports from a Performance Analyst give you data similar to that used by real‑world managers, aiding long‑term planning.
- Schedule regular recruitment meetings to keep scouting aligned.
- Consult the Performance Analyst reports before making big signings.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion