Sports Interactive has announced the cancellation of the much-anticipated 2025 edition of Football Manager. The developer cited the game’s failure to meet the high standards expected by its dedicated fanbase as the primary reason for this "difficult decision." The announcement follows two delays and heightened speculation among fans after a promised update failed to materialize last month.
The developers revealed that the decision came as they were unwilling to delay the release further than March, which would have pushed it too late into the football season. While fans eagerly awaited upgrades to the game's visuals and interface, including the introduction of women's teams for the first time, Sports Interactive decided that these enhancements could not be delivered to their satisfaction in time.
"Every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect."
As a result, the development team will now concentrate on the 2026 version of Football Manager. Fans who had preordered the cancelled release can expect refunds, an assurance that may ease disappointment among the loyal community.
The cancellation marks a rare setback for a franchise that has been a staple in sports gaming since its debut in 2004. Known for allowing players to manage a football team through a season, Football Manager has consistently pushed the boundaries of realism. Recent efforts included building a new stats database and recording motion-capture sequences for female players, as previously shared with BBC Newsbeat.
Fans began speculating about the game's fate when an expected update did not arrive on schedule. This absence heightened concerns that have now been confirmed by Sports Interactive's announcement.
"We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so."
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