Games like Football Manager 2022

The Squirrel's verdictFTG keeps the club-management loop FM22 fans know—transfers, contracts, facility upgrades, player development—but replaces the real-time match engine with turn-based tactical battles closer to X-COM or Battle Brothers. Matches are played out turn by turn rather than simulated, giving direct tactical control over each fixture rather than watching AI-driven simulation play out.

Not for you if you want a realistic match engine simulating real football rather than turn-based tactical combat resembling a strategy puzzle game.

The Squirrel's verdictCard-based decisions and mini-games replace FM22's spreadsheet-deep granularity of staff menus, scouting networks, and hundreds of attributes. Underneath that lighter surface, reviewers note it still demands real thinking to keep players, fans, and the board satisfied. At a median of 47.7 hours played and $19.99, it suits players who want club-management stakes without FM's system density.

Not for you if you want granular scouting, staff management, and deep tactical detail rather than a card-and-minigame structure.

The Squirrel's verdictWe Are Football 2024 adds stadium construction and a cleaner interface in place of FM's spreadsheet presentation, and at $39.99 costs less than FM with its editor bundle. Median playtime reaches 61.1 hours. Reviewers flag that player fee negotiations are basic and the game's internal systems lack clear explanation. Suits players who want more club-building breadth and less menu density.

Not for you if you want FM's depth in transfer negotiations or need clear in-game explanations of how underlying systems work.

The Squirrel's verdictWe Are Football shares the club-management framework and long-term save structure but operates at a higher level than FM's tactical micromanagement, putting you in the boardroom rather than the dugout. Matches show only the ball-carrier, not full pitch shape. Suits managers wanting multi-season club building without FM's granular in-match tactical control.

Not for you if you want to watch full team shape during matches or need FM's depth of in-match tactical adjustment.

The Squirrel's verdictFree to download, but reviewers flag real-money gold bars gating agent fees, no option to skip matches and jump straight to results, and an interface described as barely adapted from its mobile version. It covers transfers, tactics, and career progression across seasons, with a median playtime of 16.8 hours. Suits players content with a lightweight, low-commitment manager sim.

Not for you if you want FM-style depth without microtransactions gating squad management functions, or you need a way to skip match animations for results.

The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2021 keeps the core loop: transfers, tactics, board expectations, and sackings for missed objectives. It trades Football Manager's simulation depth for a lighter, more casual structure, with a median playtime of 20.6 hours versus FM's much longer sessions. Reviews report unrealistic match outcomes and unpredictable AI transfer behavior. Suits players who want quick manager-mode sessions without deep tactical granularity.

Not for you if you need realistic match simulation and transfer logic, since reviewers report inconsistent results and illogical AI dealings.

The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2019 covers the familiar ground of contracts, training, tactics, and licensed clubs and players, but strips out the simulation depth FM22 fans praise. Multiple reviewers report scripted-feeling match outcomes with repeatable results. Median playtime sits at 26.6 hours. Suits players who want a lighter, faster manager fix over FM's exhaustive systems.

Not for you if you value FM22's simulation depth over simplicity, or predictable and scripted match outcomes would frustrate you.

The Squirrel's verdictBoth are management sims built on tactics, transfers, and attributes rather than direct control. 90 Minute Fever drops the single-player depth for a persistent online world where you compete against real managers in real time, free to play, with a match engine reviewers describe as scripted and injury-heavy at higher divisions.

Not for you if you want FM22's solo career depth rather than an online persistent league, or you distrust match engines reviewers call scripted and P2W-favoring.