1
Squirrel's Pick Squirrel's PickThe best game on this page. If you only try one, try this.
Turn-Based CombatFootball (Soccer)Economy
Strong Mods Strong ModsA deep, active modding scene extends it past its base content.
$24.99 ~119.3 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 87.1% of 4k
The Squirrel's verdictBoth cover club management: transfers, contracts, facility upgrades, squad building across seasons. FTG replaces FM's simulated matches with turn-based tactical play you control directly, more like a tactics-RPG than a spreadsheet sim. Priced at $24.99, Very Positive rating. Suits players who want hands-on control of matches rather than watching a match engine resolve them.
Not for you if you want realistic football simulation rather than turn-based tactical combat wearing a football skin.
2
Budget Pick Budget PickThe best game here for the least money.
SportsFootball (Soccer)RPG
$19.99 ~47.7 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 87.4% of 522
The Squirrel's verdictNew Star Manager suits players who want football management decisions without FM's scouting spreadsheets and staff micromanagement. Its card-based system and mini-games keep the core loop of squad building, board pressure, and tactics while running at a lighter pace. Priced at $19.99 with a Very Positive rating, median playtime is around 48 hours. Reviewers note success depends on both card luck and strategic thinking.
Not for you if you want FM's full scouting depth, staff management, and league-wide statistical granularity.
3
Closest Match Closest MatchThe most similar game to the anchor, by what players say.
Football (Soccer)SportsEconomy
Strong Mods Strong ModsA deep, active modding scene extends it past its base content.
$39.99 ~61.1 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 80.2% of 1k
The Squirrel's verdictSame core loop: manage a club through transfers, training, and matches across seasons. WE ARE FOOTBALL 2024 adds stadium management and includes an editor with Workshop mod support for rosters, trading FM's spreadsheet-heavy interface for a more visual one. Transfer negotiations run simpler than FM's. Fits players who want broader club-management scope over deep tactical granularity.
Not for you if you rely on FM's deep transfer negotiation system or expect a tactical simulation as granular as Football Manager's.
4
Football (Soccer)SportsTime Management
$24.99 ~58.1 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 77.5% of 1k
The Squirrel's verdictWE ARE FOOTBALL covers transfers, squad building, and multi-season club management, but match presentation shows only the ball carrier rather than full team shape, and key decisions arrive as timed multiple-choice prompts. Median playtime runs around 58 hours at $24.99. It fits players who prioritize the off-pitch club-building cycle over detailed match-day tactical control.
Not for you if you rely on watching full pitch movement and tactical shape during matches to evaluate your team's structure.
5
Football (Soccer)SportsImmersive Sim
Monetized MonetizedHeads up: leans on microtransactions or free-to-play hooks.
Free ~16.8 hr median no co-op complexity: light 73.6% of 4k
The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2026 is free and includes real player names, squad management, tactics, and match simulation familiar to FM players. It derives from a mobile base, lacks a match-skip option, and uses gold-bar microtransactions to cover agent fees. Median playtime is under 17 hours. Players curious about a zero-cost management option between FM releases may find it worth a look on that basis alone.
Not for you if you want FM's tactical depth or a clean PC experience, since the interface is mobile-derived and agent fees require microtransaction currency.
6
SportsFootball (Soccer)Tactical
Monetized MonetizedHeads up: leans on microtransactions or free-to-play hooks.
~20.6 hr median no co-op complexity: light 74.7% of 2k
The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2021 handles club management, transfers, match simulation, and board expectations in a stripped-down format. Median playtime is around 21 hours rather than FM's hundred-plus-hour depth. Players looking for a free, accessible entry point into management sims may find it functional, though reviews flag unrealistic transfers, erratic match simulation, and unexpected sackings despite strong results.
Not for you if you want realistic match simulation and transfer behavior, since reviewers consistently report inconsistencies in both areas.
7
SportsFootball (Soccer)Football (American)
Monetized MonetizedHeads up: leans on microtransactions or free-to-play hooks.
~26.6 hr median no co-op complexity: light 76.2% of 698
The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2019 covers contracts, training, tactics, and licensed clubs and players, but trims the depth FM players expect. Reviewers report simplified transfer market information and fewer advanced features than FM. Median playtime sits around 27 hours. It fits players who want a faster, lighter management experience rather than a season-long commitment.
Not for you if you rely on FM's depth of features, since multiple reviewers report scripted match outcomes that repeat across different teams and saves.
8
90 Minute Fever - Online Football (Soccer) Manager
PCMac
Football (Soccer)SportsMassively Multiplayer
Monetized MonetizedHeads up: leans on microtransactions or free-to-play hooks.
Free ~749.9 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 63% of 316
The Squirrel's verdictBoth put you in the manager's chair with tactics, attributes, and transfers driving results. 90 Minute Fever is free, browser-paced, and persistent online rather than single-player offline: your club competes against real managers in shared leagues, with matches resolving on a schedule instead of on demand. Suits players who want a long-term online meta over solo season control.
Not for you if you want single-player pacing you control, since matches run on a fixed schedule against real online managers and reviews report scripted-feeling results plus a small group of dominant teams.