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 verdictFTG keeps the club-building loop FM players know: sign and sell players, manage contracts, upgrade facilities, climb divisions. The difference is on match day, which plays out as a turn-based tactical puzzle with player positioning and abilities rather than a simulated engine. Squad depth and player development carry the same weight; the matches themselves are a different genre entirely.
Not for you if you want FM's simulated matches rather than direct turn-based tactical control over every play.
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 verdictCard draws and mini-games sit at the center of every match and squad decision: a random card system determines plays, while separate mini-games handle individual moments. Reviewers describe it as demanding real thinking to balance players, fans, and the board despite its arcade presentation. Priced at $19.99, all-mouse controls, and no microtransactions on PC. Median playtime is 47.7 hours.
Not for you if you want granular tactical control and deep scouting rather than card-based systems and mini-game-driven match outcomes.
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 verdictWE ARE FOOTBALL 2024 adds stadium construction and Steam Workshop support for custom names and teams — two features absent from FM23. The interface is widely described as cleaner, and median playtime reaches 61.1 hours. Reviewers flag player fee negotiations as basic and poorly explained compared to FM. Priced at $39.99 with the editor included, it suits players who want club-building breadth, stadium development, and mod support over granular scouting or deep transfer systems.
Not for you if you want detailed transfer negotiation depth and the granular scouting FM built its reputation on.
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 operates at club-ownership level rather than session-by-session match management: you set broad development priorities across a multi-season arc, respond to timed in-game decisions with four-option prompts, and watch matches showing only the ball-carrier rather than full pitch shape. Priced at $24.99. Median playtime is 58.1 hours. Reviewers flag those timed prompts as stressful for non-native readers and note the game tilts easy for the wrong reasons.
Not for you if you want to see full pitch shape during matches or need FM-level tactical granularity rather than top-down club oversight.
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 built on a mobile-port foundation, with gold bars used as a currency to cover agent fees — a microtransaction layer that reviewers single out as predatory. Real player names are present, but the interface mirrors the mobile version closely, and reviewers describe the match engine's attacking-versus-defensive logic as broken. Median playtime is 16.8 hours. Suits players taking a first look at football management without any upfront cost.
Not for you if you want FM's tactical and scouting depth rather than a free mobile-derived interface with microtransactions gating core actions like agent negotiations.
6
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 the core loop — licensed clubs and players, contracts, training, tactical decisions, and a 3D match view — but strips away advanced features like detailed scouting. Median playtime is 26.6 hours, well below what most FM saves accumulate. The sharpest reviewer complaint is scripted match outcomes: multiple players report identical yellow cards and goals when replaying the same fixture.
Not for you if you want FM's scouting depth and database complexity, or scripted-feeling match outcomes would frustrate you.
7
Football Manager Touch 2018
PCMacLinux
SportsFootball (Soccer)
~175.8 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 70.6% of 194
The Squirrel's verdictPlayers who found full FM's staff hierarchy and hundreds of menus too slow describe Touch as the version that holds their attention: same database, same match engine, same tactics-and-transfers loop, but with the deep staff-delegation and micromanagement layers removed. Median playtime reaches 175.8 hours. Reviewers note the 2018 edition added player-specific strategy settings but otherwise changed little from the prior year's release.
Not for you if you want the full staff hierarchy, granular scouting network, or text commentary that Touch deliberately omits.