The highly anticipated 2025 edition of a beloved video game, which lets users take charge of Celtic, Rangers, and clubs across the entire Scottish football pyramid, has been officially cancelled.
Sports Interactive, the developers behind the iconic Football Manager series, announced the cancellation of Football Manager 2025 after extensive internal discussions and input from SEGA.
Fans eagerly awaiting the game were met with disappointment as the studio revealed they had shifted their focus to the next release instead.
In a statement released on Friday, February 7, Sports Interactive apologised to the large number of players who had pre-ordered the game, acknowledging the frustration caused by the delays and ultimate cancellation.
“We know this will come as a huge disappointment,” the statement read. “Especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal.
“We have always prided ourselves on delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment, that feel worth every moment and every penny you spend. With the launch of FM25 we set out to create the biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, laying the building blocks for a new era.
“Due to a variety of challenges that we’ve been open about to date, and many more unforeseen, we currently haven’t achieved what we set out to do in enough areas of the game, despite the phenomenal efforts of our team. Each decision to delay the release was made with the aim of getting the game closer to the desired level but, as we approached critical milestones at the turn of the year, it became unmistakably clear that we would not achieve the standard required, even with the adjusted timeline.
“Whilst many areas of the game have hit our targets, the overarching player experience and interface is not where we need it to be. As extensive evaluation has demonstrated, including consumer playtesting, we have clear validation for the new direction of the game and we are getting close - however, we are too far away from the standards you deserve.
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“We could have pressed on, released FM25 in its current state, and fixed things down the line - but that’s not the right thing to do. We were also unwilling to go beyond a March release as it would be too late in the football season to expect players to then buy another game later in the year.
“Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so.
“Thank you for reading, your patience and your continued support. Our full focus now returns to creating a new era for Football Manager.”
This marks a rare setback for a series that has long been a staple for football enthusiasts, providing in-depth management experiences across leagues and divisions worldwide, including Scotland.
For now, players will have to wait a little longer for the next evolution in Football Manager.
