06 Nov, 2025
Ranking Every Football Manager Game from FM20 to FM26
From FM20’s steady charm to FM26’s chaotic debut, here’s how the last seven Football Manager games stack up — ranked and reviewed.
The Football Manager series has always walked a fine line between evolution and repetition. Some years give us tactical perfection; others hand us a crash course in patience. From FM20 to FM26, each edition has told its own story — of triumphs, tweaks, and, occasionally, tears.
Before we get stuck in, make sure you check out our Feature Articles section for more great Football Manager content. Also, make sure you check out the most recent patch notes for FM26 if you haven’t already. Have Sports Interactive done enough?
We’ve scoured all the feedback scores from both Metacritic and Steam to bring you the definitive rankings from the modern Football Manager era, from the best of the bunch to the ones you’ll wish you could forget.
🥇 #1 – Football Manager 2022: The Modern Benchmark
FM22 nailed what players had been asking for — realism without the grind. The Data Hub made analytics satisfying, press conferences felt less robotic, and the match engine delivered genuine drama. It wasn’t revolutionary, but it was refined. The game ran smoothly, looked clean, and gave the sense that every click mattered. FM22 was the sweet spot between simulation depth and playability — the gold standard for modern FM titles.
🥈 #2 – Football Manager 2021: A Return to Form
After FM20’s steady but safe outing, FM21 felt lively again. The new xG stat, refreshed UI, and improved communication options breathed life into team talks and transfer sagas. Critics praised its sense of authenticity and accessibility, though long-term bugs persisted. Still, FM21 reminded fans why they fell in love with the series in the first place — it was passionate, deep, and surprisingly personal.
🥉 #3 – Football Manager 2020: The Foundation Layer
FM20 wasn’t flashy, but it was dependable — the kind of edition you could play for hundreds of hours without burnout. The Club Vision system and Development Centre gave purpose to long-term projects, and stability was its biggest strength. The match engine looked dated, and progress felt incremental, but FM20’s depth and reliability kept it in fans’ rotations for years. A solid, grounded Football Manager that built trust after a few rocky cycles.
#4 – Football Manager 2024: The Last of Its Kind
FM24 marked the end of an era, closing the chapter on the old engine before the series’ next-gen transition. It was polished, responsive, and full of smart refinements — but also safe. Critics appreciated its performance and subtle AI tweaks, while players embraced it as the final “classic” FM. It didn’t push boundaries, but it delivered what fans wanted most: stability and satisfaction. A graceful goodbye before the storm.
#5 – Football Manager 2023: Solid but Stagnant
FM23 landed in the “good, not great” zone. The new UEFA licensing and visuals added sparkle, but the underlying gameplay felt too familiar. AI management quirks persisted, and bugs dulled the shine. Still, its foundation was strong enough to satisfy devoted players. FM23 felt like a team finishing 6th in the league — reliable, functional, but lacking the spark to challenge for the title.
#6 – Football Manager 2025: The Cancelled Legend
FM25 never saw the light of day — and that’s precisely why it’s ranked above FM26. With zero bugs, zero crashes, and a perfect Steam score (because it doesn’t exist), FM25 has become the stuff of meme-worthy legend. For one glorious year, fans enjoyed peace. No patches, no tactics nerfs, just pure, unblemished anticipation. It might be vaporware, but it’s still more stable than FM26.
#7 – Football Manager 2026: The Great Rebuild Gone Wrong
FM26 was meant to be the start of a new generation — a rebuilt engine, modern visuals, and streamlined systems. Instead, it launched into a storm of bugs, performance issues, and fan frustration. Critics highlighted its potential but couldn’t overlook its unfinished feel. Steam reviews quickly turned “Mostly Negative,” and longtime fans mourned what could have been. FM26 isn’t beyond saving, but right now, it’s a cautionary tale in overambition.
⚽ The Full Scores and Rankings
List of Football Manager Critic Scores
| Game | Year | Metacritic (Critic) | Steam (User %) / Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Football Manager 2020 | 2020 | 84 | ~89% – Very Positive | Solid entry; quality-of-life improvements praised. |
| Football Manager 2021 | 2021 | 85 | ~91% – Very Positive | Strong reviews; smoother UI and data hub introduced. |
| Football Manager 2022 | 2022 | 85 | ~92% – Very Positive | Excellent reception; realistic match engine praised. |
| Football Manager 2023 | 2023 | 80 | ~89% – Very Positive | Slight dip; incremental update criticized but stable. |
| Football Manager 2024 | 2024 | 84 | ~91% – Very Positive | Generally favorable; final “classic engine” version. |
| Football Manager 2025 | — | — (Cancelled) | — | Cancelled; FM 26 replaced it as next-gen debut. |
| Football Manager 2026 | 2025 / 26 | 72 | ~20% – Mostly Negative | Huge backlash over bugs & UI issues despite new engine. |
The Football Manager saga from FM20 to FM26 is a story of evolution, nostalgia, and occasional chaos. While FM22 remains the crown jewel and FM26 the painful misstep, each entry reflects Sports Interactive’s relentless drive to perfect the art of football simulation — sometimes at the cost of its own simplicity.
Whether you’re a data-obsessed tactician or a casual career builder, these seven seasons prove one thing: in Football Manager, there’s no such thing as an easy win — on or off the pitch.
Which Game did you like best? Is there still hope for FM26?
