Football Manager 2025 has been cancelled, manufacturers Sports Interactive have revealed, with a “variety of challenges” unable to be resolved.
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Game initially due for release in November 2024Unable to solve a number of issuesDevelopers already planning Football Manager 2026Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The popular simulator, which allows players to experience life as a coach, has built up a legion of loyal supporters – with gaming enthusiasts around the world eager to put their tactical nous to the test as epic saves are built across several seasons.
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There will, however, be no new version of the game for them to enjoy. FM25 was originally due to be released in November 2024 – in line with previous editions – but that date was quickly pushed back. It has now been revealed that the entire project has been binned.
WHAT A SPOKESPERSON SAID
A spokesperson has said in an official statement: “Sports Interactive regret to inform that, following extensive internal discussion and careful consideration with SEGA, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25 and shift our focus to the next release. For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support – we're very sorry to have let you down.
“We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal. We can only apologise for the time it has taken to communicate this decision. Due to stakeholder compliance, including legal and financial regulations, today was the earliest date that we could issue this statement.
“We have always prided ourselves on delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment, that feel worth every moment and every penny you spend. With the launch of FM25 we set out to create the biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, laying the building blocks for a new era.
“Due to a variety of challenges that we've been open about to date, and many more unforeseen, we currently haven't achieved what we set out to do in enough areas of the game, despite the phenomenal efforts of our team. Each decision to delay the release was made with the aim of getting the game closer to the desired level but, as we approached critical milestones at the turn of the year, it became unmistakably clear that we would not achieve the standard required, even with the adjusted timeline.”
DID YOU KNOW?
They added: “Whilst many areas of the game have hit our targets, the overarching player experience and interface is not where we need it to be. As extensive evaluation has demonstrated, including consumer playtesting, we have clear validation for the new direction of the game and are getting close – however, we're too far away from the standards you deserve.
“We could have pressed on, released FM25 in its current state, and fixed things down the line – but that's not the right thing to do. We were also unwilling to go beyond a March release as it would be too late in the football season to expect players to then buy another game later in the year.
“Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so. Thank you for reading, your patience and your continued support. Our full focus now returns to creating a new era for Football Manager.”
