The Higher Tempo Press
Latest Posts
The Highest Paid Football Managers in the World
There is a reason that Football Managers remains among the most popular games in existence. Having the opportunity to run a soccer club, even as a simulation, is can’t-miss for avid football fans, not to mention video game enthusiasts. Beyond that, though, FM has long been renowned by pro players, managers and even industry insiders […]
Why Scottish Players are Good Signings for FM26
Scotland, specifically in recent years, has had a strong track record of producing quality talent. After spending 23 years without reaching an international tournament, the Tartan Army have now qualified for three since 2020. 150 Years. Coming soon… pic.twitter.com/jizYglywBe — Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) February 9, 2023 This is due to several factors, including the […]
What have we learnt from playing over 200 hours of FM26?
As we all know, FM26 has split opinion amongst fans of our favourite football manager sim. Some love the game and believe it is a step forward for its future. However, there are also those who seem to hate it and have gone back to playing FM24, which many players highly rated. Unfortunately, as of […]
Mastering Club Finances: A Guide to FM26 Revenue Streams and the Real-World Sponsorship Economy
Financial literacy is a key factor in the football management world as much as tactical skills are. The challenge of balancing between ambition and solvency stays the same whether you are playing the digital dugouts of Football Manager 2026 (FM26) or performing the analysis of the balance sheets of the real-world Premier League clubs. But […]
FM26 Portuguese Wonderkids
In the latest instalment of our series of our favourite wonderkids from certain countries, our next stop is Portugal, which has become a prolific producer of high-quality players in recent decades. Here are our favourite Portuguese wonderkids: Rodrigo Mora (Porto) The 19-year-old is already in his second season with Porto’s first team after he broke […]
FM26 Tactic Testing: ARGUS 26 WB 3430 SUN P93 FA CC by GYR
It’s been a while since the release of FM26, and many talented tactic creators have been working hard to make tactics that can carry their teams to success. One of the most prolific FM tactic creators in recent years is GYR. In our latest tactic, we tested GYR’s ARGUS 26 WB 3430 SUN P93 FA […]
FM26 German Wonderkids
Many countries produce top young players, but some are more efficient at developing them than others. One country that is a prolific producer of wonderkids is Germany, as reflected in FM26. Here are some of our favourite German wonderkids: Tom Bischof (Bayern Munich) Arguably, there is no better place to start when talking about German […]
Why I am finally getting into FM26
I have been meaning to write this article for a while and get a few things off my chest about FM26. First of all, guys, I want to be brutally honest about my experiences with the latest edition of the game. As an independent site with no affiliation to SI, we can tell the truth. […]
The Top 10 Most Promising Coaches in FM26: Your Ultimate Guide to Managerial Success
We present the definitive analysis of the most exceptional coaching talents available in Football Manager 2026. The game, developed by Sports Interactive, brings exceptional tactical diversity and managerial excellence. These tactical masterminds represent the future of virtual football management, combining innovative strategies, player development expertise, and the potential to transform underperforming clubs into continental powerhouses. […]
FM26 best defensive coaches
Today, in the latest articles about FM26 coaches, we look at the best coaches to bring in to help achieve your best defensive performances. Without further ado, here are our favourite defensive coaches on FM26: Giuseppe Baresi (Inter) Unlike his more high-profile brother Franco, who is a Milan legend, Baresi made a name for himself […]
FM26 Goalkeeping Coaches
Many factors contribute to your success in Football Manager 26. One of the biggest factors in improving your players and, in turn, your team is having top-notch coaches to bring their stats up. To save you from having to search for the best coaches, over the next few weeks, we will look at our favourites […]
FM26 Top English Wonderkids
Signing wonderkids and seeing them develop into world stars is one of the best feelings you can experience in Football Manager. Some countries have reputations for producing wonderkids. One of those countries is England, which in recent years has produced several quality players. In today’s article, we will be looking at our favourite English wonderkids: […]
From Expected Goals to Expected Value: What FM Players Can Learn from Offer Structures
Football Manager players are already quiet experts in probability. You weigh whether a striker’s xG profile will hold up, you scan shot maps for patterns, and you plan squads seasons ahead with age curves and injury risk in mind. This article connects that familiar FM mindset to a light real-world parallel: evaluating the structure of […]
Tactic Testing: The Fantastic Four – My first attempt at creating an FM26 tactic
I have to admit that I haven’t played FM26 as much as I have with previous editions of the game. One of the main reasons for the lack of playing time on FM26 is the initial dislike of the UI. However, the biggest reason is just a lack of time due to other work and […]
FM26 Best Free Agents
We all love a bargain in life, but there is a great feeling of satisfaction when we bag ourselves a free agent who either goes straight into our first team or develops into a top player. Sometimes it takes work to find those sorts of players, which is why we thought we would compile a […]
The Most Chaotic Leagues to Manage in Football Manager
Football Manager has long been celebrated for its ability to replicate the unpredictability of football. The popular video game is appreciated for its range of features, similar to how modern slot games have built up a range of features like megaways. Every league presents its own challenges, though some stand out for the way they […]
FM26 Tactic Testing: GYR’s SWANSALONA 4231
We are back with just our second tactic testing for FM26, and this one is a tactic that has been used in previous versions of the game, but has been updated by its creator for the latest version of FM. That tactic is GYR’s SWANSALONA 4231. Read on to find out how the tactic fared […]
The Story Behind Glenn Hoddle’s Unconventional Edge as England Manager
There are left-field tactical tweaks, and then there’s this. Long before Football Manager players were debating gegenpressing lines and retraining full-backs as inverted playmakers, an England manager was turning to an altogether more unconventional source for inspiration. In the late 1990s, Glenn Hoddle – visionary midfielder, bold tactician, and occasional magnet for headlines – sought […]
Football Simulation and Learning from Gaming Platforms
Digital simulation is quietly revolutionizing the way people learn soccer. Players, coaches, and even prospects find these immersive training and analysis tools mixed into daily routines at all levels, from elite pros right down to youth clubs. Today’s soccer-specific virtual reality, customized simulation engines, and multiplayer digital sandboxes pull users deeper into tactics, turning theory […]
FM26 best free agent assistant managers
In every FM game, a manager is only as good as the staff they employ. The better the staff, the better the results a team will get. One of the most important members of staff you can employ is, of course, the assistant manager. One who doesn’t have to be bought out of a contract […]
FM26 scouting – best bargain forwards
Our series on FM26 bargains in particular positions has reached the forward position, meaning we have reached the end of our journey through FM26’s bargains. However, enjoy our final instalment of the series, so without further ado, here are our favourite FM26 forward bargains: (Please note these are players who I haven’t included in the […]
How to Master Transfers for Championship Success in Football Manager 26
Building a Championship squad in Football Manager 26 demands calm judgement and forward planning, as well as a clear understanding of how the league behaves across a long season. Managers who succeed usually build squads that can cope with fixture congestion, tactical shifts and unpredictable results, and a stable plan strengthens your chances of climbing […]
FM26 best bargain attacking midfielders/wingers
In our series on FM26 bargains, we have reached the position of good-value attacking midfielders or wingers. I have included them in one category, as many can play in both roles. So without further ado, here are our favourite attacking midfielders/wingers: Malcom (Al-Hilal) The Brazilian winger has offered decent value for money in the last […]
How Real Football Statistics Shape the Modern British Game
Long gone are the days when football relied only on intuition and passion. Today, every successful club in Britain — from the Premier League to the Championship — depends on data. Coaches, analysts, and scouts rely on precise numbers to understand what happens on the pitch. Statistics have become the language of modern football, turning […]
Football Manager 2026 Sets New Record – The Netflix Effect?
Earlier this month, the eagerly anticipated Football Manager 2026 was released and despite mixed responses from fans, its early success has been overwhelming. That’s if you judge success on numbers. In its first week alone, it reached 2.5 million players, smashing week one sales figures of all previous versions. And that’s just European figures. There […]
FM26 Tactic Testing: The Black Panther
After the success of our tactic-testing series over the last few years, we thought we would return with a new version for FM26. Although there is not the same wealth of tactics that have been produced for FM24, we found a few impressive tactics. The first tactic we tested was Black Panther by GYR, a […]
How Will the World Cup Licensing Affect Gameplay in Football Manager 26
The inclusion of the FIFA World Cup in Football Manager 2026 marks a shift in the series’s approach to international competitions. For the first time, Sports Interactive has secured official licenses from FIFA, allowing fully branded tournament play within the game. Tournament Integration and Simulation Mechanics Football Manager 2026 launched on November 4th, 2025. It […]
Football Manager 26: Deconstructing the Esports & Competitive Gaming Meta
Over the decades, a perceived barrier existed between the thinkers and the doers in competitive gaming. On the one hand, turn-based strategists; on the other, cognitive athletes of the high-reflex real-time esports. Football Manager 26 (FM26) does not simply cross this border; it obliterates it. The game has finally come to no longer be a […]
FM26 best bargain midfielders
In the latest of our FM26 series on bargain players across different positions, we have reached the midfield, where we will look at defensive and central midfielders. Here are five of our favourite midfield bargains in the latest edition of our favourite: Mads Bidstrup (Red Bull Salzburg) The Danish midfielder offers tremendous value for money. […]
The FFP Feature On FM26 Is Quite Cool
While Football Manager 2026 has had its fair share of critics, citing bugs, repetition, almost zero upgrades, it isn’t actually that bad. If anything, most of the bad press has probably been over-exaggerated. People seem to want “perfect”, not realising that this is a money-making gig. If they released the “perfect” game, with all of […]
Five of the Best MLS teams to Manage in FM26
Football Manager 26 has finally arrived, and fans are extremely excited to embark on their managerial careers. Alongside the game’s fresh Unity engine and some new leagues that have been added, fans are also assessing the various clubs they can manage. For many players, the MLS is a good place to start. Of course, Premier […]
FM26 best bargain defenders
In our series on FM26 bargains, the next position we are covering is defence, where we will look at five bargain defenders, whether that be full-backs or centre-backs. So, here are five defensive bargains: Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim) The Turkish international is a bargain buy, as his stats are solid and he is a helpful asset […]
The Most Popular and Used FC 26 Players
With the release of the new FC game, there will be a lot of discussion and research on which characters are best to purchase and use. While some players may have different preferences, certain characters perform much better and are used far more than others. In our guide, you will find the most sought-after and […]
La Liga on the Edge: The Latest Explosive Weeks that are Changing the Balance of Power
La Liga is back in the spotlight. In it, every game is like a separate story. This season inspires with its unpredictability, and its heroes turn matches into a spectacle of strength and character. Sports arena news Football inspires again. Not only Spaniards, but the entire sporting world is watching this spectacle. The emotions of […]
Management Experiences vs. Real Soccer and Game Narrative
Soccer management games, well, they’ve carved out this strange, crowded corner of the digital world. It seems like every day, a flood of players slip into those virtual dugouts, tinkering with lineups and transfer budgets as if the season rolls on forever. The simulators spin up little epics of their own, rolling out stories that […]
New leagues are available in FM26?
As I am sure you are all aware, the Beta access of FM26 dropped to players who pre-ordered the game via Steam or other partner retailers. After a two-year wait for a new edition of FM, fans are understandably excited about the beta release. One of the first things many players look for in a […]
First thoughts on FM26 after its beta release
So yesterday was the day many players who pre-ordered FM26 got their first look at the game via beta access. In typical Football Manager fashion, the beta dropped late — around 8 pm GMT — after it was scheduled for 5 PM. This wasn’t a massive surprise, as it has happened before with beta. Once […]
The Best Formations in FM: How to play 3-1-4-2, 4-2-2-2 and 5-3-2
If you’ve played enough Football Manager, you know the right formation can make or break your season. It’s not just about selecting your best players — it’s about putting them in a system that works. That’s where this guide comes in. FM tactics expert Gerda Grinova explores three of the most effective formations in the […]
Potential free agent signings on FM26
In life, everybody loves a freebie, and when it comes to Football Manager, the same principle applies. With the release of FM26 looming, we thought we would take a look at potential free signings on the latest edition of the game. Enjoy! Takehiro Tomiyasu It is crazy to think that the Japanese defender is still […]
How FM26 Is Improving Its Realism
Football Manager has been the go-to for sports simulation for a long time, and for millions of fans, it’s a whole other world they can get lost in; the intricacies of football management are exactly the kind of thing that will keep them coming back for more every year. Sports Interactive’s team of developers keep […]
Excitement builds as FM26 is due for pre-release
According to rumours and whispers online, the long-awaited Football Manager 2026 could be released this week as pre-access, with the official release date being 4th November. About time! Will be the reaction of most fans of Football Manager, as it seems like Football Manager 2024 was released forever ago. The stats, leagues and players were […]
Managing the Beautiful Game: How Football Manager Inspires Real-World Football
The Football Manager really has never been able to capture every subtle nuance and emotional swell that belongs to the beautiful game. For nearly two decades, this franchise has allowed fans to slip into the managerial shoes of their favourite club, enmeshing strategy, scouting, and psychological nuances into a full-blown immersive experience. Kernels of truth […]
West Ham crisis: sudden failure or trend?
four matches and secured one win against Nottingham Forest. Their early exit from the League Cup against Wolverhampton, with a 3-2 defeat, deepened concerns. With thirteen goals conceded and only five scored, the club’s negative goal difference has alarmed supporters and analysts alike. Amidst this atmosphere, discussions about form have spilled into wider spheres. […]
FM26: Taking Rangers back to their former glories
Some clubs are sleeping giants, just ready to be awakened after years of very little success. However, it is unusual for one of Britain’s most historic football institutions to be described as a ‘sleeping giant’. However, that is what Scottish giants Rangers are at the moment. The latest boss brought in to turn around the […]
New changes from bringing more women’s football into football manager
The recent years have seen a growth in women’s football. This growth has gained the recognition of this genre across global sporting platforms. This is not limited to physical spaces but for digital platforms as well including the simulation games. One such example is Football Manager, a game which is well known for its realistic […]
Can you return clubs to their former glories in FM26?
Football is a game that moves quickly, clubs rise and fall, and things very rarely stay the same. Some once massive clubs may no longer hold the standing they once had. Some clubs experienced their glory days in the early stages of the top European football leagues. Here are some good saves involving these clubs […]
10 Most Expensive Summer Transfers in 2025
The 2025 summer again confirmed why the Premier League is the financial giant of football. England clubs had spent over 3 billion on transfers, surpassing the rest of Europe and changing squads even before the 2025-26 season. The other leagues were envious, but England stole the show. Here we look at the ten most expensive […]
Predicted best wonderkids on FM26
One of the most enjoyable facets of Football Manager is signing a wonderkid and seeing them develop into world-class players. With FM26 on the horizon, and with the help of our friends at EFEM, we will be examining which players are predicted to have the highest potential rating in the game. They use growth attributes, […]
Non-league clubs to take to glory in FM26
With Football Manager 2026 set for release in the next few months, we are looking at interesting save ideas for the latest edition of the game’s favourite football simulator. Some FM players enjoy managing clubs at the top level of the beautiful game. However, some FM players love a challenge, and one save idea that […]
Skills You Need to Manage Finances in FM Without Breaking the Bank
Finance management in Football Manager (FM) can be as significant as strategies on the field. A balanced budget will keep your club afloat and guarantee success in the long term, whereas poor financial management will kill even the best of projects. As financial realism continues to get better each year, understanding how to manage money […]