Here are 6 tell-tale signs that may show that you are addicted to Football Manager. Most of us love the game but sometimes go overboard getting immersed in the game a little too much.
When the virtual dugout feels more real than reality
Let’s face it—many of us have been completely consumed by Football Manager at some point. It’s not just a game; it’s a way of life, a test of patience, and often, a source of triumph and frustration. While it brings immense joy, it’s easy to get carried away and let the lines between virtual management and real life blur.
Here are 6 undeniable signs that you might be addicted to Football Manager.
1. You Recognise Teams & Players That Most People Have Never Heard Of
Most football fans can name players from top leagues, but you? You’re on a whole other level. You can identify the entire squad of a mid-table Danish team or recall the tactical exploits of a lower-league Peruvian club.
These players aren’t just obscure names—they’re legends or villains in your managerial career. Whether it’s Hallur Hansson from the Faroe Islands or some unknown starlet from Brazil, you’ve scouted, signed, or played against them all. Football Manager doesn’t just teach you football—it’s also the ultimate geography lesson.
2. You Shout at the Screen Like a Real Manager
Every match feels like a cup final. A missed penalty? A defensive blunder? You’re yelling instructions, questioning decisions, and even berating your virtual players. To outsiders, it might look odd, but to you, it’s part of the managerial experience.
Pro tip: Be careful not to wake up your household during a late-night Champions League final replay!
3. Your In-Game Relationships Affect Real Life
We have all done it. If the other manager is talking bad about you, you're going to change your view about them in real life. If a player constantly wants a new contract, wants a move to a bigger club, moans about training, you're going to think they're acting like that in real life. We, managers, take Football Manager very seriously (like it's meant to be taken), but sometimes, we forget it's not actually real life
4. You Brag About Discovering Future Stars
You are definitely lying if you have not done this before. Bragging regarding signing the next big wonderkid from Argentina or Brazil is probably the most common flex among Football Managers. Just wait till the player goes on to become a star in real life and you can’t wait to tell your friends how you’ve identified this player before anyone else actually has!
5. Tactical Jargon is Your Second Language
Bonus points if you’ve ever referred to Thomas Müller as a “Raumdeuter” or discussed Andrea Pirlo’s influence as a “Regista.”
6. "Just One More Game" Is a Lie You Tell Yourself
Perhaps the biggest sign of Football Manager addiction is the inability to stop. You promise yourself it’s the last game, but then a transfer deal comes through, a big match is on the horizon, or your club gets promoted. Sleep is sacrificed, alarms are missed, and you tell yourself, “just one more game.”
Spoiler: It’s never just one more game.
Conclusion: Do You See Yourself Here?
If you’ve nodded along to any of these signs, welcome to the club—you’re a Football Manager addict. But let’s be honest: it’s not a bad addiction to have. The game sharpens your tactical mind, fuels your passion for football, and connects you with a global community of fellow managers.
So embrace it, keep yelling at your virtual players, and remember—there’s always a match waiting to be won.
