Football Manager 26 offers a lot of new stuff: a UI overhaul, new playable leagues, and various new strategies to explore. However, there are also a few things that are missing from the previous games, some of which are more immersion-breaking than others. In particular, the removal of touchline shouts is a major gripe many fans have with the game.
How Are Fans Feeling About Football Manager 26?
In previous entries, touchline shouts allowed you to influence your players’ mentality and morale mid-match. This feature didn’t really change your tactics directly, as they were more like quick emotional cues to encourage the team. They were important, though, as when used correctly, they can help your team a lot. It also adds a lot to the overall feel of being a manager.
With the feature missing in FM26, a lot of the fanbase is complaining that it makes the match experience feel a bit lifeless. One Reddit user put it simply:
“I feel like I am part of the stands now. Not a Manager.”
Without touchline shouts, some even go as far as to say that there’s little to no interaction once the whistle blows. A couple of fans pointed out that because there’s a lack of involvement mid-game, they find themselves struggling to pay attention at all. Though options like Opposition Instructions still exist, they’re now buried behind several clicks, and the overall gameplay feels slower as a result. If you’re not familiar, Opposition Instructions are specific plate and position-based instructions that direct your team on defending against specific opponent players.
Another thread on Reddit further highlights how the game feels unfinished and buggy in many ways. Apart from missing features like touchline shouts and international management, a lot of people feel the UI is sluggish and requires a ton of quality of life fixes.
