Football Manager & Mental Health

Football Manager is a game that transports players to a different world.

A world of managing football clubs, making tactical decisions, and competing for success.

But beyond entertainment, Football Manager also plays a deeper role in the minds of its players.

To further understand this, I conducted a survey earlier this year on how FM players feel the influence of Football Manager has affected their mental well-being.

The results showed both the highs and lows of playing and how the game can play a major role in their lives.

Key Findings

82% rated the game’s positive impact on their mental health as 7 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10.
50% said that Football Manager helps them cope during difficult times.
50% reported using Football Manager as a tool for relaxation.
45% play Football Manager daily.
38% spend 10–15 hours per week playing Football Manager.
25% specifically mentioned the role of the game in building friendships through the community.
15% rated the impact of Football Manager on their mental health a perfect 10.
15% mentioned that Football Manager sometimes causes stress or frustration.
10% think that, due to Football Manager, they don’t have much time for other hobbies.

Frequency of Play: How Much Time Do Players Commit to Football Manager?

The survey showed that the most respondents play regularly. FM isn’t something they take lightly; for them, it’s an important part of their life and routine.

Many use FM as a way to escape day-to-day stress and responsibility,

The routine of playing Football Manager can offer a semblance of normalcy and allow people to feel in control, even if it’s just for a few hours a day.

Positive Effects: How Football Manager Strengthens Mental Health

Football Manager has significantly helped many of its players with their mental health.

It has been described as a way to escape from difficulties in daily life.

And some even reported that FM has helped increase their confidence in real life.

Football Manager: A Therapeutic Tool for Mental Health

For many, the game helps combat anxiety, stress, and depression by offering something to do that is productive rather than destructive.

In a similar vein, one of the things that attracts people to FM most is the feeling of control it gives them when times in life are uncertain.

Time Commitment: Finding a Balance between Gaming and Life

One negative the survey did find, however, was the amount of time Football Manager requires.

While many players reported positive effects of the game on their mental health, some admitted to spending a little too much time playing the game.

Nonetheless, for most players, they believe that the positives of FM outweigh the negatives.

Friendships and Communities

While Football Manager is, for the most part, a single-player game, we definitely can’t overlook the social aspects of playing the game.

Thousands of users participate online daily through forums, leagues, and by exchanging tips about formations and tactics.

The Challenges: When Football Manager Becomes a Source of Stress

While most described their experiences with Football Manager as positive, a handful of people also admitted that the game at times can contribute to their stress levels, acknowledging that there have been occasions where they’ve felt frustrated or anxious if their save is not going well.

These responses illustrate how important it is to balance playing Football Manager with other aspects of life so as not to create burnout and have a dysfunctional relationship with gaming.

Football Manager and Mental Health

These results show that Football Manager is more than a game, but a powerful means for good mental health, social connection, and personal growth.

82% of the players reported that the game has had a positive effect on their mental well-being, while for many, Football Manager has been a saving grace during hard times.

Be it a mental break, a confidence boost, or even a conversation starter with others, Football Manager is a whole lot more than pretending to manage a football team. It’s a space in which players can escape, grow, and thrive.