The Byline

We all see player attributes, club data and stadium information in Football Manager, but where does it come from? We are assisted by more than 1,000 researchers across the world who help put our database together but that wasn’t always the case. The research team started out quite small in the mid-1990s but it has expanded almost exponentially since then. 

Hours are spent watching players in action in order to collect data for individuals, teams, or, in some cases, entire countries. A lot of work goes into putting our industry-leading database together – it involves much more than just a few people sitting in SI towers, entering numbers into spreadsheets. Many of those who have worked as researchers for Football Manager have moved into jobs in the footballing world as a result of their knowledge and commitment, so it can be a pathway to the job of your dreams. 
 

The latest edition of Why I Love FM features a chat with Darren Bent. The ex-England international retired in 2018 to pursue a career in the media where he can often be heard on the airwaves. Recently, Darren was spilling the beans on his Football Manager 2020 save, so we wanted to hear more about his current game and his best ever signing...

We all see player attributes, club data and stadium information in Football Manager, but where does it come from? We're assisted by more than 1,000 researchers across the world who help put our database together and over the course of this new series we will introduce you to a few of the people who play such an important role in making the game what it is.

Our researchers are fans of the series, just like us, and many of them took on their roles because they were passionate about their clubs, domestic leagues and national football setups and they wanted to ensure they were represented accurately in the game. 

We had the pleasure to e-interview Bleacher Report Football's Sam Tighe - Journalist, Podcast Host and Football Manager enthusiast.

It's fair to say that Sam knows a thing or two about football and we'd like to take credit for some of that knowledge since he's spent many hours researching through FM player profiles...

Sam's answers to this edition of Why I Love FM are up there with the most detailed, passionate and entertaining, enjoy. 

Football Manager 2020 comes in all shapes and sizes. The desktop game is available on PC, Mac and Google Stadia, while we also produce Football Manager Touch for PC, Mac, Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch and Football Manager Mobile is available on Android and iOS.

The international break and fan disappointment go together like tea and scones. Or Batman & Robin. Or thunder & lightning. Or your assistant manager and the words “We should encourage our players to try a more direct passing play”. You get our drift. Fans get disappointed as most international periods mark a break from the constant stream of club football and international friendlies often feel meaningless. 

At Football Manager we have celebrity fans from all walks of life.

They all have their own love affairs with Football Manager and we gave them the platform to tell their stories in ‘Why I Love FM’, an interview series on our website that allows us to discuss their managerial highs and lows, their best signings and how they initially got involved.

Oh… and the small matter of why they love the game as much as we do.

Here are some of the best bits from the last year.

Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or a seasoned veteran, every team in Football Manager presents its own distinct challenge. Some might expect success on a limited budget, some might give you a huge transfer kitty to work with and some will want you to stay true to the club’s identity on your way to the top.

Football Manager is a game with a wealth of detail, data and managerial responsibility. 

Just because most of the major transfer windows slammed shut at the end of January doesn’t mean that there weren’t interesting deals taking place across the world in February. The second half of our winter update features the deals that took place in the Russian and Chinese leagues, the final moves in MLS before the start of the 2020 season and free transfers in the EFL and beyond.

Here are some of the moves that were slightly off the beaten track that we took a shine to.

In such a vast landscape with so many responsibilities, Football Manager can produce a whole range of memorable moments - moments that produce a wide range of emotions. When things are going right though it’s oh so satisfying so we thought we’d compile five of the most satisfying moments you’re bound to experience during your FM career. 

Strikers are the lynchpin of almost every system. They make or break a good tactic because it doesn’t matter how many goals you can keep out, if you can’t get your front man firing, it’s all over. No team ever won the league with 38 0-0 draws…

Number nines come in many different shapes and sizes in the modern game - no longer are they one-dimensional, known purely for their pace or aerial ability. 

In Football Manager 2020, strikers operate in eight roles, from Deep Lying Forwards to False Nines. Whichever flavour yours comes in, let’s take a look at how you can go about getting the best from him.

We should say, from the top, that the role deployed should suit your player’s individual attributes but since so many strikers can play in so many different roles, it’s key that you begin by getting your selection right.