Manage Southampton on Football Manager 2026

[S-Clarke]

Another thing I've noticed is the skins - on the old versions, you could download a load of skins, dump them into a folder and then use a drop down in FM to pick the one you fancy at any time.

Now you can only ever have one skin in the folder at any one time, no way to change it in game.

The whole UI has been a massive regression and it's not even funny.

[AlexLaw76]

5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Another thing I've noticed is the skins - on the old versions, you could download a load of skins, dump them into a folder and then use a drop down in FM to pick the one you fancy at any time.

Now you can only ever have one skin in the folder at any one time, no way to change it in game.

The whole UI has been a massive regression and it's not even funny.

It is little barriers like that are a massive F**K YOU to a very loyal and geeky community.

Part of the appeal with the ease to share tactics, share skins, face packs, database mods, editing etc.

Even MLG deep down knows this version is terrible, given his relative silence on it.

 

Edited Thursday at 20:44 by AlexLaw76

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

It is little barriers like that are a massive F**K YOU to a very loyal and geeky community.

Part of the appeal with the ease to share tactics, share skins, face packs, database mods, editing etc.

Even MLG deep down knows this version is terrible, given his relative silence on it.

 

Yeah that was the appeal for a lot, you could customise the feel and make it really immersive with skins, the legitimate club backgrounds when you switched between clubs, or player backgrounds etc. It just made everything feel a little more real.

But they've traded all of that out for a more 'real' match engine, which if we're truly honest isn't the great leap I thought it would be. 

They've made it look like a 'kids game' that's device agnostic, rather than a pure immersive experience for PC as it was before.

[Matthew Le God]

8 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Even MLG deep down knows this version is terrible, given his relative silence on it.

I'm not going to deny it is anywhere near as polished as FM24 for example. Lots of teething issues to be fixed, which is happening. Version 26.0.4 out today makes a big difference. The change of engine to Unity sets the series up for the future. 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

I'm not going to deny it is anywhere near as polished as FM24 for example. Lots of teething issues to be fixed, which is happening. Version 26.0.4 out today makes a big difference. The change of engine to Unity sets the series up for the future. 

No good if people start to fall away. There has been a huge, loyal fan base....this version is a bit of a 'fuck you' to them/us.

I will probably give it a little more time, but sense I will re-install FM24 and add the various updates that people are keen to do.

[skintsaint]

28 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Part of the appeal with the ease to share tactics, share skins, face packs, database mods, editing etc.

There is still most of that. The main UI skin not being able to be changed is fecking annoying though.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, skintsaint said:

There is still most of that. The main UI skin not being able to be changed is fecking annoying though.

Whilst much of that is still possible, putting up completely (and unwanted) barriers/hurdles to the ease of doing this, is daft

[skintsaint]

7 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Whilst much of that is still possible, putting up completely (and unwanted) barriers/hurdles to the ease of doing this, is daft

What hurdles are they? I just downloaded the badges, put them in the folder and loaded the game up and voila, just like FM24.

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

There is still most of that. The main UI skin not being able to be changed is fecking annoying though.

That'll probably come in time. Perhaps not for FM26, but in the future. This being the first on Unity as a new engine means the priority is getting that right before setting it up for modding.

[AlexLaw76]

4 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

What hurdles are they? I just downloaded the badges, put them in the folder and loaded the game up and voila, just like FM24.

I downloaded a tactic, and I had to shift said tactic into the folder I had to create within the Sports Interactive directory.

I used to be able to search my device files, from the game itself, to import a tactic. If I downloaded a few, it was very easy (for me) to chop and change. Little hurdles like that everywhere just add small percentages why it is a little easier to not bother playing it.

[Matthew Le God]

17 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

No good if people start to fall away. There has been a huge, loyal fan base....this version is a bit of a 'fuck you' to them/us.

I will probably give it a little more time, but sense I will re-install FM24 and add the various updates that people are keen to do.

It isn't that at all. They were overly ambitious and they totally underestimated how much work would be needed to transfer such a hugely complex game to a new game engine. As that became clear they needed to prioritise what would be in the first game of the new era.

[skintsaint]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I used to be able to search my device files, from the game itself, to import a tactic. If I downloaded a few, it was very easy (for me) to chop and change. Little hurdles like that everywhere just add small percentages why it is a little easier to not bother playing it.

Fair enough, I get ya now. 

[Streaky]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Yeah that was the appeal for a lot, you could customise the feel and make it really immersive with skins, the legitimate club backgrounds when you switched between clubs, or player backgrounds etc. It just made everything feel a little more real.

But they've traded all of that out for a more 'real' match engine, which if we're truly honest isn't the great leap I thought it would be. 

They've made it look like a 'kids game' that's device agnostic, rather than a pure immersive experience for PC as it was before.

Horrible game this year, the ui is made for a console gamer and by the look of it a ps1

[Colinjb]

Reading the feedback. It just seems bizarre how badly they have screwed this up.

FM for me is not some pick up and play blast as you would expect on a console, it runs in the background on my home computer. I can dip in and out and enjoy it when relaxing knowing that it's as familiar, yet comforting as as a pair of slippers, or warm hoodie. Letting me switch off and enjoy some mild escapism.

As such, the same mechanics/navigation as FM24 with a silky new match engine would have been enough.

Instead, SI have tried to be Sports Republic. They over thought it. They fucked it. If it ain't broken...... Fucking break it.

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, Colinjb said:

Reading the feedback. It just seems bizarre how badly they have screwed this up.

FM for me is not some pick up and play blast as you would expect on a console, it runs in the background on my home computer. I can dip in and out and enjoy it when relaxing knowing that it's as familiar, yet comforting as as a pair of slippers, or warm hoodie. Letting me switch off and enjoy some mild escapism.

As such, the same mechanics/navigation as FM24 with a silky new match engine would have been enough.

Instead, SI have tried to be Sports Republic. They over thought it. They fucked it. If it ain't broken...... Fucking break it.

The change is because they had reached the limits of the in house game engine FM was using for the last 30 years. The switch to Unity allows for lots of exciting things to be added going forward. To future proof the game  change of engine was needed.

Have you played in on version 26.0.4? It is now significantly better than when the pubic beta launched. 

[Colinjb]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

The change is because they had reached the limits of the in house game engine FM was using for the last 30 years. The switch to Unity allows for lots of exciting things to be added going forward. To future proof the game  change of engine was needed.

Have you played in on version 26.0.4? It is now significantly better than when the pubic beta launched. 

You are missing the point. 

40 pounds is a lot of money. I'm not spending that on something that is not going to make me feel better then the existing game. 

I don't care if it's technically more capable in the future. I don't want to labour over something that would frustrate me. I frankly don't have time for that shit. Reading that it's inferior and seeing the problems people are having means.... No. 

Edited Friday at 21:53 by Colinjb

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, Colinjb said:

You are missing the point. 

40 pounds is a lot of money. I'm not spending that on something that is not going to make me feel better then the existing game. 

I don't care if it's technically more capable in the future. I don't want to labour over something that would frustrate me. Reading that it's inferior and seeing the problems people are having means.... No. 

There is a free demo available on Steam and Epic store for you to make your own mind up on rather than the thoughts of others.

[Colinjb]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

There is a free demo available on Steam and Epic store for you to make your own mind up on rather than the thoughts of others.

Thankyou. I didn't realise that. Will happily give it a go.

[Tommy]

Another night of game play and another bug, this time one that breaks LLM playability. I have 208k players loaded in a DB setup with every league in the game either playable or on view with every top league int he game playable. Then in addition i customised the the player load by including every player of english or welsh nationality. 

 

Get into the save, go to the player database search and even with World Scouting package (another issue as why the hell can i select that as a village team in Wales) the database returns 0 players who are unattached. 

Running the patch on a new save. 

The release just goes from shit to shitter. 

[Streaky]

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

The change is because they had reached the limits of the in house game engine FM was using for the last 30 years. The switch to Unity allows for lots of exciting things to be added going forward. To future proof the game  change of engine was needed.

Have you played in on version 26.0.4? It is now significantly better than when the pubic beta launched. 

The game sucks. The ui is hideous, so many bugs, 100s of features missing. I've gone back to 24. Unbelievable they've released a game in such a state its almost criminal.

[Matthew Le God]

7 hours ago, Streaky said:

The game sucks. The ui is hideous, so many bugs, 100s of features missing. I've gone back to 24. Unbelievable they've released a game in such a state its almost criminal.

Have you played it on version 26.0.4? It is now significantly better than when the pubic beta launched. 

[Streaky]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Have you played it on version 26.0.4? It is now significantly better than when the pubic beta launched. 

Yes I've put in 10 hours but it just feels like a chore. Gave it a chance but its so disappointing. Going by the steam reviews I'm with the vast majority.

[Matthew Le God]

6 minutes ago, Streaky said:

Yes I've put in 10 hours but it just feels like a chore. Gave it a chance but its so disappointing. Going by the steam reviews I'm with the vast majority.

10 hours on the latest patch? That has only been out for the last few days.

Edited yesterday at 08:36 by Matthew Le God

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

10 hours on the latest patch? That has only been out for the last few days.

The latest patch may fix many bugs, but the layout, and dumbing down, of the game remains.

 

[Matthew Le God]

9 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The latest patch may fix many bugs, but the layout, and dumbing down, of the game remains.

What do you think has been "dumbed down"? If anything, things like tactics have been made more complicated with in and out of possession. And tactics are one of the core aspects of what a manager does.

The layout throws people because it is new and we aren't used to where things are after years of them on the old UI. The more you pay the esier it gets. Plus using the bookmark system helps a lot.

Edited yesterday at 08:50 by Matthew Le God

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

What do you think has been "dumbed down"? If anything, things like tactics have been made more complicated with in and out of possession. And tactics are one of the core aspects of what a manager does.

It's almost as if you have a vested interest in not saying anything negative about it MLG....

[AlexLaw76]

18 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

What do you think has been "dumbed down"? If anything, things like tactics have been made more complicated with in and out of possession. And tactics are one of the core aspects of what a manager does.

The layout throws people because it is new and we aren't used to where things are after years of them on the old UI. The more you pay the esier it gets. Plus using the bookmark system helps a lot.

I bet you now that this game will largely remain with significant negative view/review.

i bet there are decent sized changes to the UI next year.

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, trousers said:

It's almost as if you have a vested interest in not saying anything negative about it MLG....

It is the least polished FM on release ever! Is that negative enough for you? 

There is still a good game in there and the UI gets better the more you use and get familiar with it. The latest update makes a huge difference and there are more on the way. 

[Matthew Le God]

11 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I bet you now that this game will largely remain with significant negative view/review.

i bet there are decent sized changes to the UI next year.

You didn't answer the question. You claimed the game has been "dumbed down".

What do you think has been "dumbed down"? If anything, things like tactics have been made more complicated with in and out of possession. And tactics are one of the core aspects of what a manager does.

[trousers]

8 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

It is the least polished FM on release ever! Is that negative enough for you? 

"Least polished"... Yep, doesn't get much more damning than that...

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

"Least polished"... Yep, doesn't get much more damning than that...

Well... it isn't a good thing!

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Well... it isn't a good thing!

I'll have to stop jesting on the off chance that people start taking me seriously...

Edited yesterday at 09:31 by trousers

[benjii]

Peaked in 98/99.

[Streaky]

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

10 hours on the latest patch? That has only been out for the last few days.

Yeah I've been on holiday this week to play football manager. What a waste lol

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, trousers said:

It's almost as if you have a vested interest in not saying anything negative about it MLG....

Fighting talk is on at the moment. Won't be long before they have the Defend the Indefensible round. The winner will be whoever has been getting tips from MLG here.

 

[skintsaint]

2 hours ago, Streaky said:

Yeah I've been on holiday this week to play football manager. What a waste lol

I've been on it working from home all week with a muckaround game from the bottom to the top, been fine to play once you get used to the clunky AI. Still enjoyable.

[HKsaint]

Can you play with Will Still online?

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

Can you play with Will Still online?

Yes, if you ask him nicely.

[AlexLaw76]

6 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

You didn't answer the question. You claimed the game has been "dumbed down".

What do you think has been "dumbed down"? If anything, things like tactics have been made more complicated with in and out of possession. And tactics are one of the core aspects of what a manager does.

I personally think this version is pretty soulless, masked by colourful tiles. Nothing really immersive, cup draws gone/lost, Just lots and lots of clicking to continue (how many clicks during a match day?) Still loads of bugs, still having the square floating around and not aligned to what it is supposed to be highlighting. I get the vibes of FC26 when met with the UI, not classic bonafide FM. Player instructions during the match are harder, meaning people just wont do it and just sit and watch the match play out.

Lots of colours and tabs, the detailed has hurdles in front of them, if it is even available.

Just look at the reviews on Steam - absolutely horrific 

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

I personally think this version is pretty soulless, masked by colourful tiles. Nothing really immersive, cup draws gone/lost, Just lots and lots of clicking to continue (how many clicks during a match day?) Still loads of bugs, still having the square floating around and not aligned to what it is supposed to be highlighting. I get the vibes of FC26 when met with the UI, not classic bonafide FM. Player instructions during the match are harder, meaning people just wont do it and just sit and watch the match play out.

Lots of colours and tabs, the detailed has hurdles in front of them, if it is even available.

Just look at the reviews on Steam - absolutely horrific 

Yet again, you avoided the question.

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

Yet again, you avoided the question.

I have answered the question from my PoV. I feel it is dumbed down. You can disagree if you want.

[Matthew Le God]

17 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I have answered the question from my PoV. I feel it is dumbed down. You can disagree if you want.

You haven't approached answering the question at all. You answered a question I did not ask.

The question was What do you think has been "dumbed down"? 

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

You haven't approached answering the question at all. You answered a question I did not ask.

The question was What do you think has been "dumbed down"? 

oh fuck off

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

oh fuck off

It wasn't an unreasonable request.

- You claimed the game was dumbed down.

- You were asked what about the game was dumbed down.

- You refuse to do so.

Edited 17 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

It wasn't an unreasonable request.

- You claimed the game was dumbed down.

- You were asked what about the game was dumbed down.

- You refuse to do so.

I claimed? It is my opinion and I have given you why I think that.

You can accept it or not.

Now please, piss off

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I claimed? It is my opinion and I have given you why I think that.

You can accept it or not.

Now please, piss off

Opinion & claimed are interchangeable. You failed to name what in the game is 'dumbed down'. 

[AlexLaw76]

10 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Opinion & claimed are interchangeable. You failed to name what in the game is 'dumbed down'. 

I have told you my opinion, you just happen to disagree.

The game is farking shit. The world largely knows it. If not for massive updates/changes, and the modding community, this could be a disaster for SI.

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

I have told you my opinion, you just happen to disagree.

I can't disagree, as you have not told me what is dumbed down yet! 🙄

When you tell me, then I can say if I disagree or not!

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

I can't disagree, as you have not told me what is dumbed down yet! 🙄

When you tell me, then I can say if I disagree or not!

It is not immersive

Many of the options/screen have more clicks at access them (making it very easy to not bother)

Match days feel soulless, although much improved graphically

The UI is colourful mess, lots of big square panels

the UI is more 'touch' friendly and lacks depth. It is a less geeky/spread sheet style of game

AI assistant, yeah, no thanks

Recruitment control replaces in-depth scouting, making it easier, removing some of the perceived detailed experience

Training is less immersive, previously you do things with individual sessions, now it is again simplified

Staff management is more streamlined

Finances appear to be dumbed down with the info you receive

Match day shouts. I know these did not do anything, but a nice little feature to push you closer to the touch line, not just sat watching graphics.

Much of the depth and granularity appears to be lost/reduced, or hidden behind many additional clicks. You may say the some of the above is wrong, but that is my experience. The game, for me, is very easy to not bother. Previously that was not the case at all.

 

I believe there is a desire to broaden the appeal of the game (ie, widen the customer base), making the it easier to get started, but it is less fun to get into the weeds of, for me at least. 

That is not counting the horrific mess that the game was (and still is) Upton release. That was unacceptable IMO given the price.

 

The positives.

In/out of possession positional maps

Match day graphics (but this is not something I really cared about)

I would say the logos etc, but this is not global on the game and is always sorted by 3rd party modding anyway.

 

You can disagree all you want. That is why I think the game lack a lot of depth and, quite frankly, a farking disaster.

[Colinjb]

So, it truly is the little things that annoy with this.

A couple of games into a Championship season with Saints. Limitations of the demo seem to be no transfer activity (Double D doesn't arrive until mid september for some reason!?) allowed and only a quick start.

It's like no longer having a next unread button for messages. Yes you can click on the messages and push up. But it's annoying, it's needless. It's something that has been in there since CM. 

It's looking at your main screen and not having the '6th in the Championship' bit that you can click on to see the league table.

But, does it feel like football manager? It does. Does it feel reasonably intuitive? It's not there yet.

I wish it was the new match engine and licenses on the old UI. It's not worth £40 over FM24.