Understanding Player Personalities in Football Manager

Discover how player personalities impact performance in Football Manager. Learn about the different personality types and how to manage them.

A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Player Traits and Maximizing Performance

In the world of Football Manager, it's not only the tactical masterclass or the perfect formation that wins trophies; you must understand the personalities that drive your players' performance on and off the pitch. From team leaders to troublemakers, player personalities play a crucial role in shaping the overall experience of management. In this blog post, we'll explore what player personalities are, how they are determined, and the best and worst types to look out for as you navigate the challenges of football management.

A player’s personalities affect his

• Match Performances
• Progression and affinity towards training
• Plans for the future & general happiness
• Relationship with his teammates, coaching staff and manager (you)
• Interactions and reaction to Media.

By affecting his match performances and reaction to situations, it indirectly affects his morale and ability to adapt to situations. A player’s personality is largely determined by two in-game attributes that are visible in the player attribute page and seven hidden attributes: determination and leadership.

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The seven hidden attributes are;

1. Ambition: This attribute represents a player's desire to succeed and achieve success in their career. Players with high ambition will be more motivated to reach their potential, while those with low ambition may struggle to find the drive to excel.
2. Controversy: Controversy measures a player's tendency to attract media attention and create drama, both on and off the field. Players with high controversy scores may be involved in more off-field incidents or conflicts, potentially impacting the team's reputation and morale.
3. Loyalty: Loyalty reflects a player's commitment and devotion to their club. Players with high loyalty are more likely to remain with the team for longer periods and resist the temptation of lucrative offers from rival clubs, providing stability and a sense of continuity.
4. Pressure: The pressure attribute determines a player's ability to handle high-pressure situations and perform under stress. Players with high-pressure scores are more likely to maintain their composure and deliver consistent performances in critical moments.
5. Professionalism: Professionalism represents a player's dedication, work ethic, and sense of responsibility toward their career. Highly professional players are committed to their development and consistently put in the necessary effort to improve their skills and performances.
6. Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship measures a player's adherence to the principles of fair play and respect for opponents. Players with high sportsmanship scores tend to exhibit good behaviour on the field and contribute to a positive image for the club, while those with low scores may be more prone to unsportsmanlike conduct.
7. Temperament: Temperament reflects a player's emotional stability and ability to control their emotions during matches and interactions with teammates. Players with high temperament scores are less likely to experience emotional outbursts or engage in conflicts, helping to maintain a harmonious team environment.

It is obviously very beneficial to know your players' personalities and how to deal with them when it comes to signing new players, especially newgens, as their personality strongly influences their growth in the game. Not all personalities are created equal, however, so let’s look at the different types of personality available.

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Positive Personalities

As the name suggests, positive personalities are greatly beneficial to a player and generally make them easier to man manage and therefore more likely to reach their potential.

The positive personalities in Football Manager are;

1. Model Citizen: The Model Citizen is the epitome of professionalism, boasting exceptionally high hidden attributes across the board. These players are natural leaders who positively influence their teammates and help to maintain high team morale. They are dedicated to their craft, consistently putting in hard work and setting an example for others to follow.
2. Perfectionist: Perfectionists are highly motivated individuals who constantly strive for improvement and excellence. They possess high ambition and professionalism, which drives them to push their limits and excel in their performances. Their relentless pursuit of perfection can inspire teammates and contribute to a culture of success within the team.
3. Resolute: Resolute players exhibit high determination and professionalism, enabling them to remain focused on achieving their goals despite any obstacles they may face. They are mentally strong and committed, with a never-say-die attitude that can help the team prevail in challenging situations.
4. Model Professional: Model Professionals are highly professional, dedicated, and hardworking players who consistently perform at their best. Their strong work ethic and commitment to their careers make them invaluable assets to any team, as they strive to excel in both training and matches.
5. Professional: Professional players demonstrate discipline and a strong sense of responsibility toward their careers. They work hard, adhere to team rules, and showcase a commitment to continuous improvement. Their professionalism helps to foster a positive and focused team environment.
6. Fairly Professional: Fairly Professional players exhibit a good level of professionalism and dedication, although not as high as Model Professionals. They are still committed to their careers and can be valuable team members, contributing positively to the overall team dynamic.
7. Spirited: Spirited players are enthusiastic and passionate, eager to contribute to the team's success. Their energy and positivity can have a contagious effect, boosting team morale and creating a lively atmosphere in the dressing room.
8. Very Ambitious: Very Ambitious players have a strong desire to achieve success in their careers and are willing to put in the necessary effort to reach their goals. Their high level of ambition can drive them to excel on the pitch and inspire their teammates to do the same.
9. Ambitious: Ambitious players are motivated to achieve success and work diligently toward their goals. While their ambition may not be as intense as Very Ambitious players, they still possess a strong drive that can positively impact team performance.
10. Driven: Driven players are highly determined and ambitious individuals who are motivated by the desire to succeed. Their relentless drive can push them to overcome challenges and perform consistently at a high level, benefiting the team as a whole.
11. Determined: Determined players have a strong drive to succeed, known for their relentless work ethic and commitment to overcoming challenges. Their determination can be an asset in tight matches, helping the team secure crucial points.
12. Fairly Determined: Fairly Determined players possess a decent level of determination, displaying perseverance without being overly relentless. They work hard and are committed to their goals, contributing positively to the team's success.
13. Charismatic Leader: Charismatic leaders possess a natural ability to inspire and motivate their teammates. Their magnetic personality and strong leadership skills can galvanize the team, helping to create a cohesive and driven squad.
14. Born Leader: Born Leaders have an innate talent for leadership and are often looked up to by their teammates. Their presence and influence in the dressing room can help maintain a positive atmosphere and contribute to the team's overall success.
15. Leader: Leaders are players who demonstrate strong leadership qualities, often stepping up in crucial moments and guiding their teammates. Their ability to lead can help cultivate a winning mentality within the team.
16. Iron Willed: Iron Willed players exhibit mental fortitude and unwavering determination, enabling them to perform consistently under pressure. Their resilience can be infectious, helping the team maintain focus and composure in high-stakes situations.
17. Resilient: Resilient players possess the mental strength to bounce back from setbacks and adversity. They are able to maintain their performance levels even when faced with challenges, providing a sense of stability and dependability to the team. Their resilience can inspire teammates to persevere and overcome obstacles together.

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Neutral Personalities

Players with neutral personalities have some positive attributes and some negatives, with generally the positives outweighing the negatives.

Examples of Neutral personalities in Football Manager are:

1. Jovial: Jovial players bring a sense of humour and a cheerful disposition to the team, often helping to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere in the dressing room. Their lighthearted approach can help ease tensions and maintain team morale, even in challenging situations.
2. Light-hearted: Light-hearted players possess a laid-back and easygoing attitude, contributing to a positive and stress-free environment within the team. They can help to diffuse tense situations and keep the overall mood upbeat, fostering team cohesion and camaraderie.
3. Devoted / Very Loyal: Devoted or Very Loyal players show unwavering loyalty to their club, often staying with the team for the majority of their careers. They are less likely to be swayed by lucrative offers from rival clubs, providing a sense of stability and commitment to the team's long-term success.
4. Loyal: Loyal players exhibit a strong sense of loyalty to their club, often prioritizing team success over personal interests. While they may not be as steadfast as Devoted or Very Loyal players, their commitment to the club remains a valuable asset.
5. Fairly Loyal: Fairly Loyal players display a reasonable degree of loyalty to their club, though they may be more open to exploring other opportunities. They can still contribute positively to the team dynamic and help maintain a sense of unity within the squad.
6. Honest: Honest players are characterized by their integrity and straightforward nature. They approach their careers with sincerity and can be trusted to uphold the values and principles of the club, both on and off the field.
7. Sporting: Sporting players exhibit good sportsmanship and fair play, conducting themselves with respect and dignity on the field. Their behaviour can help to create a positive image for the club and foster a sense of camaraderie among teammates.
8. Fairly Sporting: Fairly Sporting players generally uphold the principles of fair play and sportsmanship, though they may not be as consistent as their Sporting counterparts. They still contribute to a positive team atmosphere and can be relied upon to represent the club with integrity.
9. Unsporting (Newgen only): Unsporting players are more likely to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, potentially creating tension with opponents and tarnishing the team's reputation. Managing these players effectively can minimize their negative impact on the squad.
10. Realist (Newgen only): Realist players approach their careers with pragmatism and level-headedness, carefully assessing their own abilities and potential. They maintain a grounded perspective, which can help to balance the team's ambitions and expectations.
11. Balanced: Balanced players have a generally even combination of mental attributes, making them adaptable and dependable team members. Their well-rounded nature allows them to fit seamlessly into various team dynamics, contributing positively to the squad's success.

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Negative Personalities

Players with negative personalities are generally harder to manage. They sometimes do have a couple of positive attributes, but the negatives strongly outweigh the positives, and it is better for a manager to steer clear of such players. Negative personalities are only assigned to newgens and not existing players in the database.

The negative personalities are:

1. Slack: Slack players are characterized by their low work rate and lack of professionalism, often failing to put in the required effort during training and matches. This can negatively impact team morale and performance, making it crucial for managers to address and manage these players effectively.
2. Casual: Casual players exhibit low levels of professionalism and determination, often not taking their careers as seriously as they should. Their laid-back attitude may hinder their growth and potential, and it's important for managers to find ways to motivate and encourage them to commit to their development.
3. Temperamental: Temperamental players possess low temperament attributes, making them prone to emotional outbursts and erratic behaviour that can cause tension within the team. As a manager, it's essential to manage these players carefully and maintain a balance in the dressing room to prevent conflicts and disruptions.
4. Unambitious: Unambitious players lack the desire to achieve success in their careers, resulting in low motivation and effort. Their lack of ambition can hinder their progress and negatively impact the team's overall drive to succeed. Managers may need to implement strategies to motivate and challenge these players.
5. Easily Discouraged: Easily Discouraged players are prone to losing motivation and confidence when faced with adversity or setbacks. Their fragile mental state can make it difficult for them to bounce back from challenges, making it important for managers to offer support and encouragement to help them regain their confidence.
6. Low Determination: Players with low determination may struggle to maintain focus and commitment to their goals. Their lack of perseverance can hinder their ability to reach their potential and contribute to the team's success. Managers should consider mentoring or other methods to boost determination levels in these players.
7. Spineless: Spineless players lack determination and mental fortitude, often struggling to cope with pressure and high-stakes situations. Their weak mental attributes can negatively affect their performance and the team's overall resilience. Managers must find ways to build their mental strength and help them develop coping mechanisms.
8. Low Self-Belief: Players with low self-belief often lack confidence in their abilities, making it difficult for them to perform consistently and reach their potential. As a manager, it's crucial to support and encourage these players, helping them build self-esteem and trust in their skills. Mentoring from more experienced players can also be beneficial in boosting their confidence.

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Conclusion

Most of the personalities are self-descriptive, and as mentioned earlier, when scouting newgens, it is always advisable to look for only positive/neutral personalities. It will definitely make the player easier to manage. Ensuring you have an understanding of these personalities and how they’ll affect your players is critical to how likely your players are to develop and improve under your guidance.