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Football Manager 2019

The Football Manager series just goes from strength to strength. This is superb, sublime, and irresistible. It’s not a game you play, it’s a game you live.
Football Manager 2019 Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
stability, story
88% User Score Based on 4,166 reviews
Critic Score 82%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

PCTabletAndroidCloudMac OSPhoneiPadNVIDIA GeForce NOWSteam DeckMobile PlatformiPhoneWindows
Football Manager 2019 Game Cover

About

Football Manager 2019 is a single player and multiplayer sport game with a business theme. It was developed by Sports Interactive and was released on October 2, 2018. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

In Football Manager 2019, you are the author of your team's story, with the power to control every aspect of your club's operations. The revamped tactics module and overhauled training system offer new ways to build your squad and implement your footballing philosophy, allowing for a more authentic and immersive experience. Create your unique success story in this extensive football management simulation.

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88%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,166 reviews
graphics28 positive mentions
stability25 negative mentions

  • The game offers an incredibly immersive experience, allowing players to manage every aspect of a football club.
  • The new tactical and training systems provide depth and customization, making it enjoyable for both new and veteran players.
  • Despite some bugs, the game remains highly addictive and engaging, with many players reporting hundreds of hours of gameplay.
  • The match engine is often criticized for being unrealistic, with players frequently missing easy chances and making poor decisions.
  • Many players experience issues with injuries, with some reporting excessive injuries that disrupt gameplay.
  • The AI behavior can feel scripted and inconsistent, leading to frustrating outcomes in matches and player interactions.
  • graphics
    111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the visual improvements over previous versions, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking ambition compared to competitors like FIFA and PES. Many users note that while the match day graphics have seen some enhancements, they still fall short of modern standards, with complaints about animations and overall visual fidelity. Overall, the graphics are considered decent but in need of significant upgrades to meet contemporary expectations.

    • “The graphics and presentation are also well-done, providing a visually appealing experience.”
    • “Imho the best of the bunch in terms of overall graphics, gameplay, tactical system & structure.”
    • “Good game, much better graphics than previous versions which is to be expected but there are also more enhanced elements to the game that give it a bit more depth and complexity.”
    • “But there certainly isn't any desire to turn this game into something that could rival FIFA or PES graphically, which, let's be honest here, with how much they charge, they should be able to get close.”
    • “The match engine still sucks; for a game that has a monopoly on the market and has so many players every season, I can't understand why they are still using PlayStation 2 graphics.”
    • “Frist of all, the graphics suck; yes, deal with it, it's the same graphics from 5+ years ago. They changed some interface in the tactics screen and training and charge people $60 for the same game from 5+ years ago.”
  • gameplay
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many praising its depth, mechanics, and engaging tactical systems, while others criticize issues like slow pacing, unrealistic player development, and persistent bugs. New features have been noted as improvements, but some players feel that core mechanics remain flawed or unchanged from previous installments. Despite these criticisms, the game offers countless hours of immersive gameplay, appealing to both franchise veterans and newcomers alike.

    • “Whether you're a fan of the franchise or new to the series, this game is sure to provide hours of enjoyable gameplay.”
    • “Awesome gameplay and intuitive control.”
    • “The tactics and training revamp really enhances the gameplay a lot!”
    • “The one problem I have with this game is that I spend so much time pouring through articles about tactics and perfecting my team instructions, and I can never see much of a difference in the gameplay.”
    • “Sadly, whilst on the surface it would seem an ever improved version, the mechanics, poor tactical realism, and form mechanics just make for a frustrating and unrealistic simulation experience.”
    • “Total garbage, a waste of time and money, the gameplay is soooo bad, seriously never again!!!”
  • stability
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of glitches, freezes, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Players have noted that these issues affect both single-player and multiplayer modes, leading to frustrating experiences, especially during critical moments like substitutions or tactical adjustments. While some enjoy the game's depth and mechanics, the overwhelming presence of bugs detracts from overall enjoyment and playability.

    • “Such an incredibly buggy game.”
    • “Before releasing buggy new systems they should test them in-house.”
    • “The game is buggy; we address it and it doesn't get fixed until the release the year after, and we spend another 50 dollars.”
  • optimization
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users report improved performance and stability, particularly on high-end systems, others experience significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor 2D graphics. There are calls for better customization options regarding performance settings and a need for further enhancements to address existing bugs and graphical inconsistencies. Despite these concerns, many players appreciate the clean UI and the game's ability to run smoothly on various platforms.

    • “The all-round performance is great, with the UI sensibly remaining as clean and user-friendly as it has been for a number of years now.”
    • “Performance is much better and I'm playing on a low-end PC, anyway.”
    • “So, the performance overall is great and optimization seems to be great!”
    • “But, the 2D view is getting worse, both in performance and visuals.”
    • “The only improvement in performance is that it crashes before I get to load a game now!”
    • “Despite having a new computer with five-star graphics, I cannot play this game since the matches are stuttering even at the lowest quality.”
  • story
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is described as a personal journey, allowing players to immerse themselves in the life of a football manager, with some users finding it engaging and reflective of their own experiences. However, others criticize the lack of depth in the narrative, noting repetitive and unrealistic outcomes in matches that detract from the overall storytelling experience.

    • “It is very fun to play and can be seen as a story of your own manager career.”
    • “Reality and fiction become one as I slip into my suit and tie, my polished shoes and pressed trousers, and my life story of a football manager kicks off.”
    • “Both in terms of realism (to an extent) and the capacity of building storylines from basically scratch.”
    • “Lost too many hours to this game by getting too attached to nonsensical storylines.”
    • “Poor teams vs. superior teams is nearly always the same story: minimal shots vs. many goals.”
    • “Long story: 25-3 shots in my favor, 10 on goal inside the box, 5-0 clear cut chances, still 4 out of 5 matches end with 0-0, 1-1, or 0-1.”
  • grinding
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be extremely time-consuming and often tedious, requiring significant investment of hours to achieve success. While some appreciate the depth and detail involved in managing teams, many express frustration with repetitive tasks, such as press conferences and player interactions, which detract from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding can feel overwhelming and frustrating, particularly due to issues with the match engine and lack of engaging features.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Of course, the repetition of conversations can get tedious, just as I imagine it does in real life football management.”
    • “The worst match engine of any football manager game by far, and none of the continual problems from previous games have been fixed (player interactions, tedious press conferences, etc.)”
    • “Press conferences are the most tedious, pointless aspect of the game.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as both entertaining and absurd, with players finding themselves laughing at the ridiculous scenarios that unfold, such as outrageous player contract demands and bizarre in-game events. Many reviews note that the game's quirks and unexpected moments contribute to a lighthearted experience, making it enjoyable despite some frustrating bugs. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “You will find yourself laughing at how ridiculous the game is in about 20 minutes.”
    • “Great game with the in-game editor to make funny experiments.”
    • “Despite Alisson being a new signing in the summer, he demanded in December that I doubled his wages, and even funnier than that, Joe Gomez demanded he went from 20k a week to 160k, and Trent from 40k a week to 250k, along with a number of other players wanting new contracts. When I decline these hilarious demands, they all want to leave, and it drives morale down, but I still win every game anyway.”
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of background and menu music, while others find the existing soundtrack to be average and not particularly memorable. Users suggest that adding music during loading screens and enhancing the overall audio experience could improve immersion. Overall, while the sound effects and commentary are clear, the music component feels underdeveloped and could benefit from more variety and presence.

    • “The game is very addictive, it's nice and slow-paced so it's definitely something you can play while not really focusing too much, and it's just a good thing to have on in the background while web browsing, listening to music, etc.”
    • “I'd suggest adding a song when you load the game.”
    • “Can we have menu music or background music when we are at the menu?”
    • “You did not manage to have enough money to fix graphics, code and add music?”
    • “Sound and live commentary is clear, soundtrack is okay but nothing special.”
    • “Can we have menu music or background music or whatever you call it when we are at the menu?”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts a high degree of replayability, thanks to its diverse tactics, custom team and player creation options, and extensive features. Players report that it remains engaging over countless hours, with many expressing that it never gets boring and offers replay value across various teams and leagues. Overall, the combination of player choice and realistic simulation contributes significantly to its lasting appeal.

    • “From the various tactics and formations available, to the option to create custom teams and players, the game offers a high degree of player choice and replayability.”
    • “Amazing game just gets better and better and has lots of replay value.”
    • “Great game with perfect real-life simulation, never gets boring; I probably have thousands of hours of replayability.”
    • “A bit intimidating at first, but very easy to get the hang of and with a huge amount of replayability (see my hours...)”
    • “Great game with perfect real-life simulation, never gets boring; probably have thousands of hours of replayability.”
    • “It also has a ton of features, so it's a big plus for replay value.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism from users, who express frustration over the requirement to opt into in-game advertisements despite having paid for the game. Many feel that the focus on ads and data collection detracts from the overall experience, leading to a perception that the game prioritizes revenue generation over player enjoyment.

    • “I apparently have to opt into advertising, which confuses me because I'm pretty sure I paid money for this game and I don't usually have to watch targeted ads when I pay for games.”
    • “It is so annoying, at least in FM 18 I could put Champions League dynamic ad boards and enjoy realism. Now I'm blackmailed to watch your advertising in the Champions League, plus they don't work as well.”
    • “Sports Interactive are only focusing on ads and collecting data; to me, it is now just a bunch of randomness.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the emotional depth of the game surprisingly impactful, often forming attachments to fictional characters and cities, even if they initially had no interest in football. While some aspects, like overly emotional dressing rooms, may detract from the experience, the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and investment in its narrative is widely praised. Overall, it successfully engages players on an emotional level, leading to a deep connection with the game's world.

    • “I didn't even like football before I started playing, but now I'm emotionally attached to a city I have never seen, I idolize a Spaniard who doesn't even exist, and I've poured more time into a fictional management simulator than I have my post-secondary education.”
    • “Simply amazing, realistic and emotionally capable to successfully get you to love 'a complete stranger'!”
    • “Slightly over-emotional dressing rooms at times, but nevertheless a quality football manager game.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is negatively impacted by players who present irrational grievances, regardless of the manager's responses, leading to a tense and frustrating dressing room environment.

    • “No matter your managerial skills, some players will keep bringing you irrational matters that will frustrate them regardless of your response, ultimately diminishing the atmosphere in the dressing room.”
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48h Median play time
346h Average play time
10-500h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Football Manager 2019 is a sport game with business theme.

Football Manager 2019 is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 346 hours playing Football Manager 2019.

Football Manager 2019 was released on October 2, 2018.

Football Manager 2019 was developed by Sports Interactive.

Football Manager 2019 has received positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Football Manager 2019 is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Football Manager 2020, Football Manager, Football Manager 2018, Football Manager 2021, Football Manager 2015 and others.