If you’re new to Football Manager, this FM Basics for Beginners guide will help you understand the game from the ground up, especially if you’re starting with the women’s game for the first time.
Football Manager 2026 introduces the long-awaited women’s football database and, for many, that’s the perfect reason to start playing.
Whether you’re completely new or just haven’t played in years, this guide breaks things down step by step. You’ll finish it feeling more confident, more informed, and more than ready to jump into your first save.
What Is Football Manager?
FM is a football strategy game.
You don’t play matches directly like FIFA, you’re the manager. That means:
- Planning how your team plays (tactics and formation)
- Picking the players who’ll start
- Signing new players and selling others
- Talking to your squad and managing morale
- Trying to win matches, trophies, and maybe even make history
Everything happens off the pitch, and your job is to prepare the team and guide them.
Why People Love Football Manager
Football Manager isn’t just about tactics and transfers, it’s about building something
You’ll build a squad, face challenges and create moments that stay with you
It’s a game about stories, and the story you build is yours.
Why Start With the Women’s Game?
If you’re starting FM for the first time, the women’s game is an exciting place to begin:
- FM veterans haven’t mastered it yet, so you’ll be exploring with everyone else
- Smaller squads and staff = less overwhelming
- New leagues = fresh challenges
You don’t need to know everything.
Just be curious, take it slow, and enjoy yourself.
What Managing Looks Like: A Week in FM
Here’s how a typical in-game week works, broken down into manageable steps.
- Set Your Tactics
Choose your formation (like 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1) and your playing style. FM gives you recommended tactics based on your squad, no need to overthink it.
- Pick Your Lineup
Decide who starts and who rests. Look at fitness, morale and form – they all matter.
- Check Your Inbox
This is where the game updates you: match reports, injury news, transfer updates and advice from staff.
- Manage Your Players
Keep morale high with chats, praise, or new contracts. Squad happiness matters, especially in smaller squads.
- Play the Match
Click “Play Match” and watch your plan unfold. You can tweak tactics, make subs, or just observe and learn.
- Repeat
Each week gives you new information and fresh decisions to make. You’ll improve just by playing.
Let Your Staff Help You
Want to ease into FM without micromanaging every detail?
Let your staff take the lead on scouting, training, and more.
Special Notes for the Women’s Game
Some key differences when managing in the women’s game:
- Smaller squads mean injuries and suspensions have a bigger impact
- Transfers are often low-cost or free, so scouting is important
- Different league structures, especially in places like the US
Different league structures, licensing details, and shorter seasons make the women’s game feel fresh without being confusing.
Don’t Know Tactics Yet? That’s Totally Fine
You do not need to be a tactics genius to play Football Manager.
- Start with a preset tactic
- Let your Assistant Manager suggest line ups
- Use your staff’s feedback
- And most importantly: forget the idea that you have to be perfect
Quick Tips for Starting
Starting out in FM doesn’t have to be stressful, here are a few simple tips to help you feel more confident from day one.
- Let your Assistant Manager handle training and press for now
- Start with a team you know or a big club with more support
- Use suggested tactics before building your own
- Don’t rush, save often and take your time
- Everyone loses matches. You haven’t failed, you’ve just started
Expect to make mistakes, you can’t break the game.
Every Save Starts Somewhere
Even if you don’t fully understand everything yet, just start your save.
- Start with a club or league that feels fun
- Pick players you like
- Change staff if you want to
- It’s all fixable
By starting, you’ve already done the hardest bit.
