Direct Answer
New Football Manager players often struggle not because the game is unfair, but because they repeat the same strategic mistakes. Overcomplicating tactics, trusting star ratings blindly and ignoring morale, attributes and roles are the most common reasons why results don’t match expectations.
Why New Players Struggle So Much in Football Manager
Almost every Football Manager player goes through the same phase. You start a save full of confidence, sign a few players, pick a tactic… and then things fall apart.
If you’ve ever felt that the game suddenly “turned against you”, chances are you weren’t unlucky. You were making mistakes that the game quietly punishes over time. These mistakes are part of the learning curve and are closely tied to the core mechanics explained throughout the Football Manager Guides on FootballManagerGuru.
Trusting Star Ratings Too Much
One of the first traps new players fall into is relying on star ratings.
Star ratings:
-
Are relative to your squad
-
Change based on role and tactic
-
Do not reflect how the match engine evaluates performance
This is why a three-star player can outperform a four-star teammate if his attributes fit the system better. Understanding how attributes affect performance is far more important than chasing higher ratings.
Overcomplicating Tactics Too Early
New players often assume that more instructions mean better control.
In reality:
-
Too many instructions confuse players
-
Extreme systems amplify weaknesses
-
Constant changes prevent familiarity and cohesion
Simple, balanced tactics almost always outperform complex ones, especially early in a save. Many issues blamed on tactics actually come from misunderstanding how the match engine works.
Ignoring Roles and Player Suitability
A common mistake is forcing players into roles they don’t suit.
This usually happens when:
-
You copy a tactic without checking attributes
-
You chase roles instead of player strengths
-
You ignore mental attributes
Football Manager rewards logical role assignment. When roles don’t match attributes, performances suffer no matter how good the tactic looks on paper.
Neglecting Morale and Team Dynamics
Morale is often underestimated by new players.
Low morale leads to:
-
Poor decision-making
-
Missed chances
-
Defensive mistakes
Ignoring team talks, broken promises or unhappy squad hierarchies quickly creates problems that no tactical tweak can fix. As explained in our guide on morale and team dynamics, confidence is a key performance factor.
Expecting Instant Success
Football Manager is built around long-term progression.
New players often:
-
Expect immediate improvement after transfers
-
Panic after short bad runs
-
Change tactics too frequently
Success usually comes from consistency, not constant adjustment. This also applies to reputation, which grows gradually and shapes expectations over time.
Misunderstanding Player Development
Another frequent error is assuming that young players will improve automatically.
In reality:
-
Development depends on environment
-
Playing time matters
-
Personality matters
This is why some wonderkids never progress, a topic already covered in our guide on how player potential really works in Football Manager.
Common Matchday Mistakes
On matchdays, new players often:
-
React too late to problems
-
Change shape instead of mentality
-
Ignore opposition patterns
-
Overuse shouts and instructions
These habits usually make situations worse rather than stabilising the team.
Practical Tips to Avoid These Mistakes
To improve faster:
-
Focus on attributes, not stars
-
Keep tactics simple
-
Match roles to player strengths
-
Protect morale during bad runs
-
Think in seasons, not matches
These fundamentals apply at every level and are the foundation of consistent success.
Conclusion
Most Football Manager frustrations come from repeatable mistakes, not bad luck. Once you recognise these patterns, the game becomes far more logical and rewarding.
Avoiding these common errors allows you to progress faster, enjoy your saves more and build long-term success. For a complete understanding of Football Manager mechanics, tactics and player development, start from the FootballManagerGuru homepage and explore the full Football Manager Guides section.