Top 10 Features every fan expects in Football Manager 2015

Football Manager 2015 is all set to be released on November 2014, and the fans are eagerly expecting new changes and improvements in the upcoming game. Miles Jacobson, studio director of Sports Interactive and the team behind Football Manager series has told exclusively in his previous tweets that there are more changes, new features to be expected in the upcoming installments of this famous Football Manager series. Even though many features are being added day-by-day, these are the ten features which every fan would like in the game:

#1 Media-active during search for a job

So far in the Football Manager series, when the players start as a manager with no club, or if he resigns from the manager post, he has to remain idle till he gets a job offer from an another club.

A new feature should be enabled where the managers are given a chance to be media-active. If a player starts as a new manager with no club to choose, a newspaper or TV should take an Interview of him to make the clubs know that a potential new manager is available for grabs.

If he has resigned from a club and waiting for new job offers, the newspapers/TV should ask his view on the big matches his previous club has played, and getting reactions from the players, managers for his comment. Something to make him occupied between jobs, instead of just watching the screen idle and waiting for the next offer.

#2 More licenses

It would be great to see more official badges and kits in the game, though this is no doubt an expensive request.

Football Manager series have certainly covered more clubs, national teams, leagues, competitons than any other game , but have missed some major licenses, for instance the German National team,Japan,South Korea National teams are all locked. The roster is a set of random players who we cant change or bring in new players.

Many fan-made packs and team name fixes are available in internet for download, but official inclusion of these logos and national teams will create a more authentic experience for the fans.

And what better time to bring them, especially after the end of the recent World Cup.

#3 Improved graphics

Fans are not expecting FIFA like graphics in this game, but a certain level of improvement is expected in the graphics area including UI’s, stadiums, crowd to make the simulations more enjoyable and look realistic.

Expanding the goal celebrations rather than being random, Signature goal celebrations of Ronaldo, Bale etc can be shown for a start.

Also, new animations can be added for winning cups, or important matches where the crowd erupts and applauds the players. The crowd’s boos and cheers can also be added.

#4 Training

One area where fans expect more is the Training regime of the players.

• To see which player is happy and who is unhappy with the current training reigme.
• After signing a new player, he needs time to gel into the team, training him in the specific tactics and movements will help him adapt more easily.
• Interacting with the players who are unhappy with their training regime alongwith the specific coach to help improve his training.
• Assigning a Mentor/Specialist for more injury prone players to help them improve.

These are just some of the points, but certainly fans are expecting more new features in the Training area specifically.

#5 Speaking to players before signing them

Before the managers bid for a player, they should be able to interact with them regarding the transfer by adding some of the below lines for example:

“I expect to build the team around you in the coming seasons”

“Maybe you have big offers from other clubs, but my style of football will suit you more”

“We have won the league twice in the previous five years, we have fantastic talent. Come join us”

“You will be my key player for the season and you can captain the side”

These are some suggestions from many fans. If FM 2015 can bring this feature, it’ll be a boost for every fan because they can try to sign their favourite player easily.

#6 Discussion with players

Managers aren’t just expected to manage the side,tactics, they should also handle the tasks and dilemmas of the players.

More in-depth discussion with players can help boost morale.

Instead of the old praising, warning players for their previous games or recent form, new discussions can be unlocked to speak with players.

Like for example, if a player is injured for a long time, manager can interact with him saying “The team misses your vision to create chances, try to recover soon” Or when a player signs newly for the club a welcome message like “Welcome to the club, a warm welcome on behalf of the coaching staff. Enjoy your career here”

The more the managers interact with the players, the more it will help in improving the players morale.

#7 Interactions with FA

When the players manage an International Team, after every competition, the managers should be able to interact with the FA of the respective country about the team’s progress in the competitions.

Suggestions on improving the team or adding more staff for the development of players can be discussed. Also, contract negotiations between manager and FA can also be added.

FA setting some challenges for the managers can also be added to improve the players concentrate more on managing international teams.

#8 Youth academies in other countries

This feature can be added for more realistic approach of the managers to train and develop youth players from different nationalities. For example, when a player manages a top club, the club board can decide on building new youth academies on certain regions where there will be more intake of youth products, Expand their footballing brand. This can also help in financial wise, can boost shirt sales, merchandises sales etc.. Like, for example-

Manchester United have their Youth academies in Inida,China, Italy, Japan, etc..

Arsenal have their Youth Academies in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, New York etc..

Liverpool have their Youth Academies in India, Japan, USA, Finland etc..

PSG are expected to open their Youth Academy in India soon.

The prospects from these Youth academies can be given a chance to prove in the youth team, or reserve team.

#9 Training camp instead of long breaks

At the end of a season, players go on long holidays and report back with low fitness levels. Instead of going on for long holidays, the managers should be able to arrange pre-season training camps. For instance, if the player has a two month break, 1 month he can go on a holiday, and the other month he can go to a training camp to improve his fitness levels.

This makes the players ensure that when they return back to the club, they are in pretty good shape before the start of the season. Big clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona etc can arrange the best training camps around the world. Low level clubs can also arrange training camps for players in local camps in their regions.

Friendly matches alone cannot boost the match fitness levels of all the players.

#10 Financial advisor

A special role – Financial advisor should be made available for the managers in the game. Their entire work is to manage the club’s financial records, like the net amount available , loan amounts to be paid, profit revenue for every financial year, keeping balance, turnovers, expenditure etc..

Not for contracts and transfer offers, but to help deal with the wider financial aspects of a football club. When the club is in a financial crisis, this advisor will help us by giving a clear view on the club’s finance, the losses made etc.. giving the managers more time to concentrate on the teams tactics and other areas.

The features listed here are just like a drop in the ocean.

Now all eyes are on October as we wait for the full list of features and improvements!