Football Manager 2021: Complete Guide

A practical manager's handbook for FM21: setting up a save, building a tactic that works, training, scouting and transfers, finances, squad dynamics, and the FM21-specific features (Quick Chats, gestures, xG) that matter.

Availability note: Football Manager 2021 is no longer sold on Steam (the store page now says it "is no longer available on the Steam store"). Only the In-Game Editor DLC is still listed. If it's already in your library, it still downloads and plays. The current series entry is Football Manager 26 (released November 4, 2025), after Sports Interactive cancelled FM25 in February 2025.

Researched September 2026 — current for the final FM21 release (the game stopped receiving updates after the 2020/21 season; FM21's database reflects that era). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Quick Start

Pick a club with realistic board expectations for your first save. A mid-table side in a top league, or a favourite in a second-tier league, lets you learn without getting sacked in October.
Start from a preset tactic, then adjust. FM21's tactic creator offers styles (e.g. Gegenpress, Tiki-Taka, Vertical Tiki-Taka, Route One, Fluid Counter-Attack). Choose one that suits your squad, not your dream.
Match player roles to player attributes. A Ball-Playing Defender needs Passing and Composure; an Inverted Wing-Back needs Passing, Decisions and Vision.
Aim for tactical familiarity. New tactics start unfamiliar; players improve at them through training and matches. Don't change formation every week.
Keep the dressing room happy. Promise management, playing time and team talks affect morale, and morale affects results.
Use your staff. Assistant Manager, scouts, data analyst and coaches all give reports. Let the assistant handle friendlies and tasks you don't enjoy.
Scout before you buy. A player's attributes are hidden or fuzzy until scouted. Knowledge percentage matters.
Watch the wage budget, not just the transfer budget. Wages are what get clubs into trouble.
Use Quick Chats (new in FM21) for short conversations that lift morale without full meetings.
Save before big decisions such as transfer deadline day or a cup final.

Setting Up a Save

Database size: larger databases load more players worldwide (better scouting) but slow processing. Medium is the usual sweet spot.
Leagues loaded: load the leagues you'll scout and play in, plus the major ones.
Attribute masking: keep it on for realism, since scouting then matters.
Unemployed start: a challenge mode where you apply for jobs with limited badges.
FM21 Touch (a streamlined version) was included free with FM21 on Steam and Epic PC/Mac purchases.

First-Season Checklist

Work through this in pre-season, before the first competitive match:

Read the board's expectations (league finish, cup runs, style of play, youth). They decide whether you keep your job.
Meet the squad. The club vision meeting and the early team meeting set the tone; keep promises realistic.
Review staff. Check coaching star ratings, scouts' knowledge and your Head of Youth Development. Replace weak coaches before spending on players.
Set up one main tactic and one alternative (e.g. a safer shape for away games), and let familiarity build across friendlies.
Arrange friendlies against a mix of weak and stronger sides, spaced out so players can recover; the assistant can do this for you.
Clear dead wood. Transfer-list or loan out players who won't play and are on big wages.
Check registration rules for your league and any continental competition (homegrown and squad-size limits) before the deadline.
Set individual training for key young players and create mentoring groups.
Delegate what you don't want to handle: press conferences, contract renewals for youth, or friendlies.

Tactics: How They Actually Work

Components

Layer	What it does
Formation	Base shape (e.g. 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-2)
Mentality	Overall risk level (Very Defensive to Very Attacking)
Roles and duties	What each player does (e.g. Deep-Lying Playmaker - Support)
Team instructions	In possession, in transition and out of possession settings
Player instructions	Individual tweaks (e.g. shoot less often, tackle harder)

Principles

Balance duties. Too many Attack duties leave you exposed; too few means no goals.
Pair complementary roles. A Ball-Winning Midfielder next to a Deep-Lying Playmaker, or a Complete Wing-Back behind an Inside Forward.
Change mentality in-game rather than formation. Protecting a lead means dropping mentality; chasing means raising it.
Match Plans let you automate in-game changes (e.g. "if winning after 75 minutes, go more defensive"). They're under-used and very handy.
Opposition instructions (e.g. showing a winger onto his weaker foot) are worth setting for big games.

Starter systems

Setup	Good for	Key roles
4-2-3-1 Gegenpress	Strong, fit, hard-working squads	Pressing Forward, Box-to-Box Midfielder, Inverted Winger
4-3-3 Possession	Technical midfielders	Deep-Lying Playmaker, Mezzala, Inside Forward
4-4-2 Counter	Underdogs, pace up front	Advanced Forward, Target Forward, Wide Midfielder
5-3-2 / 3-5-2	Solid defence, wing-backs	Wing-Backs, Ball-Playing Defenders, Central Midfielders

Training

Schedules: pick the default or build your own weekly schedule. Balance tactical, match preparation, physical and recovery sessions.
Individual training: set focus positions and roles. Young players benefit most.
Injury risk: heavy training loads plus congested fixtures lead to injuries. Rotate and add recovery.
Coaches: coaching star ratings in categories (Attacking, Defending, Fitness, etc.) affect training quality. Hire better coaches before expensive players.
Mentoring groups: pair young players with experienced professionals to shape personality.

Scouting and Recruitment

Scouting assignments: give scouts regions or competitions; set focus on specific positions and age ranges.
Recruitment focus: narrow searches with your staff's advice to avoid endless shortlists.
Knowledge percentage: buy only when your knowledge of a player is high.
Loans: great for bringing in quality you can't afford. Include a future fee or option when possible.
Youth: the youth intake, academy facilities and your Head of Youth Development's personality influence the prospects you get.

Transfer negotiation tips

Add-ons and instalments make deals possible with a small budget.
Sell-on clauses help you profit from players you develop and sell.
Wage structure: avoid breaking your top wage bracket unless the player is transformational.
Contract length: long contracts for young players; short contracts for veterans.

Finances

Board budget adjustments: you can move money between transfer and wage budgets.
Revenue: gate receipts, TV money, prize money, sponsorships and player sales.
Facilities requests: training and youth facility upgrades pay off long-term. Ask the board when you're in favour.
Financial Fair Play/rules: some competitions penalize overspending.

Squad Dynamics and Interaction

Hierarchy: team leaders and highly influential players shape dressing-room mood.
Promises: keep them (playing time, signings, facilities). Broken promises hurt your reputation.
Team talks and gestures: FM21 added gestures to express emotion. Match the tone to the situation. An angry talk when you're 2-0 up usually backfires.
Press conferences: FM21 made media interactions more meaningful. Answers affect player morale and your reputation.
Quick Chats: brief informal conversations that boost morale or address minor issues.

Match Day and Analysis

SIxG (expected goals): FM21 introduced its own xG model. Use it to judge whether results reflect performance.
Match UI: customizable widgets show key stats. Watch pass maps and heat maps at half-time.
Highlights: Key or Extended for learning; Comprehensive if you want to spot tactical problems.
Half-time changes: substitute tired players, adjust mentality, and correct roles that aren't working.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Copying tactics without the right players. A downloaded super-tactic can fail if your squad lacks the attributes.
Changing everything after one loss. Tactical familiarity takes time.
Ignoring morale. Poor morale ruins even a good tactic.
Overspending on wages. You'll be stuck with players you can't sell.
Neglecting youth. Your academy is free talent and future profit.
Skipping staff hiring. Bad coaches and scouts cost you more than a bad signing.
Forgetting registration rules. Competitions have squad registration limits; plan for them.

Advanced Tips

Use Match Plans for different game states and venues (home vs. away).
Individual training on roles can retrain players to new positions over a season.
Loan out prospects to clubs where they'll get playing time. Check their loan reports.
Set player-specific opposition instructions for star attackers.
Watch expected goals trends over 10 games. Consistent underperformance vs. xG hints at finishing or shot-selection issues.
Delegate mundane tasks (friendlies, some press conferences) to staff so you can focus on what matters.

FAQ

Can I still buy Football Manager 2021? Not on Steam. The store page states it's no longer available. Only the In-Game Editor DLC is still listed. Owners can still install and play it.

What's the latest Football Manager? Football Manager 26, released November 4, 2025 on PC, Mac, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S (Switch followed on December 4, 2025). It's built on Unity and integrates women's football.

Is FM21 still worth playing? Yes, if you already own it and like its match engine and interface. Many players stay on older versions because of preferences or hardware. Rosters, however, reflect the 2020/21 season unless you install community data updates.

How do I make my tactic work? Match roles to attributes, balance duties, keep familiarity high, and adjust mentality in-game rather than rebuilding the tactic.

What is FM21 Touch? A streamlined version focused on the essentials, included with FM21 PC/Mac purchases on Steam and Epic.

Where do I find Match Plans? In the tactics screen. They let you automate in-game changes depending on the score and minute.