Games like Football Manager 2020 Touch

The Squirrel's verdictNew Star Manager puts you in the same role — balancing squad decisions, fan expectations, and match outcomes — but replaces FM's data-heavy systems with a card-based structure and mini-games. The PC version has no microtransactions. Reviewers describe it as demanding real thinking beneath an arcade surface, with a median playtime around 48 hours. Suits players who want a lighter, more structured approach to football management.

Not for you if you want granular tactical controls, detailed player statistics, and deep transfer market simulation.

The Squirrel's verdictSame core loop as FM Touch: manage a club, run transfers, oversee training and matches. WE ARE FOOTBALL 2024 adds stadium management and included editor/workshop support for custom teams and players, with a more visual interface instead of a spreadsheet-heavy one. Player fee negotiations are reportedly basic. Suits managers wanting broader club-building scope over deep tactical granularity.

Not for you if you want FM's depth in transfer negotiation and tactical granularity rather than broader club and stadium management.

The Squirrel's verdictWE ARE FOOTBALL covers squad building, tactics, and multi-season progression, but positions the player at a higher club-management level rather than on granular matchday instructions. Match visibility is limited to the player on the ball rather than the full pitch. Reviewers note some rough design choices, including timed in-game decisions and an interface that takes time to navigate.

Not for you if you want to monitor full team shape during matches or need a polished, deeply tactical micromanagement experience.

The Squirrel's verdictSame core loop as FM Touch: transfers, tactics, real player names, seasons to manage. Soccer Manager 2026 is free and runs natively on PC, but it's built on mobile-game systems, uses a gold-bar currency for agent fees, and gives no option to skip match simulation. Fits players who want a free, lighter management sim and can tolerate mobile-style monetization.

Not for you if you want a PC-native interface instead of a mobile port, or object to paying gold-bar currency for basic tasks like agent fees.

The Squirrel's verdictTransfers, training, youth development, and matchday simulations are all present, running at a notably faster pace — roughly three to four hours per season — with a constant youth intake stream. Reviewers flag broken transfer AI that rejects bids at fair market value, unrealistic match algorithms, and save-file crashes as recurring issues. Median playtime sits around 20 hours.

Not for you if you need reliable transfer negotiations and stable save files over a faster season pace.

The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2021 covers club management, transfers, and match simulation with dated graphics and simplified systems aimed at quick sessions. Reviewers report heavily unrealistic transfer windows — top clubs selling multiple star players in the first window — and match results that produce lopsided shot-to-goal ratios. Median playtime is around 21 hours. Appeals to players who want a free, low-commitment management sim.

Not for you if you want realistic transfer logic and match simulation, since reviewers report frequent implausible signings and lopsided results.

The Squirrel's verdictLicensed teams and players, contract management, training, tactics, and simulated matches across a season — Soccer Manager 2019 covers the same ground as FM Touch but at a simpler level, with a 3D match view and a shorter median playtime of around 27 hours. Advanced features are thin by design, and several reviewers describe match outcomes as feeling scripted rather than simulation-driven.

Not for you if you want tactical depth or realistic match simulation, since reviewers report scripted-feeling results and limited advanced features.

The Squirrel's verdictSame core loop as FM Touch: set tactics, manage a squad, simulate matches, deal with injuries. The difference is structure — 90 Minute Fever runs online against other managers' teams rather than AI, is free, and ties top-level input to a Patreon program rather than in-game purchases. Median playtime near 750 hours confirms similar addictive pull.

Not for you if you want a single-player league against AI rather than real managers, or distrust a system where paying supporters get early build access.