FM23 vs FM22: All the Key Differences

Football Manager puts out a new version of its popular management sim every year to match the new football season.

That said, some players often question the logic behind buying the game's newest iteration. Beyond updated squads, after pouring so many hours into a career in the previous game, it can sometimes be hard to justify buying the new version of FM23.

This article will compare FM23 with FM22, and beyond the updated squads, we'll focus on what's new in FM23.

We'll discuss all the new features in FM23 and whether it's worth paying for this version of the game.

What Are the Differences Between FM23 and FM22?

Champions League

One of the main features we need to focus on in this comparison article is the Champions League. For FM23, the company agreed to a deal with UEFA that, for the first time, lets them license all UEFA club competitions.

This license is a huge step forward for the game, making it more realistic than ever.

FM23 tries to capture the Champions League atmosphere and lets you use two UEFA Champions League anthems.

New Features for Your Campaign

The Touchline Tablet has been reworked for FM23. In FM22 it was used for on-the-fly highlighted moments, but now it will be the go-to place for player stats, match stats, and tactical advice.

There are also other changes in the tactics menu, such as Possession, Team Instructions, and the Offside Trap.

Football Manager 2023 Squad Planner

Another new feature in FM23 is how the game handles recruitment. The new Squad Planner tool lets players see exactly where they want to strengthen their squad with a visual overview.

You also have the power to add players through your shortlist if you make a purchase, giving you an idea of what your squad would look like.

The list is hidden to keep the ranking of your players from disrupting your dressing room. However, your recruitment staff can use this information to scout new players.

Dynamic Manager Timeline

There will be a new way to track your career achievements in FM23. On your timeline, you'll see a series of events organized chronologically throughout your career, including wins, new staff hires, and more.

Agent Interactions

We all know how much more effective an agent's role in transfers has become in recent years, and FM23 has taken big steps to reflect that.

In FM23, you have the power to interact with Agents (player managers) at any time to find out whether a player is available before spending time mapping out a transfer. You also have more power to negotiate with agents.

In FM22, an agent presents the players' expectations, but in FM23 you can discuss those figures with the agent.

FM23 vs FM22 Comparison

AI Manager Improvements

Another major improvement in FM23 compared to FM22 is the AI managers you face. These managers are now smarter than ever and respond far more sharply to instructions and tactics.

Defensive Tactics

Anyone who's played the latest versions of Football Manager will know that the meta guaranteeing success used to be playing a high press 4-2-3-1. But with much more focus on defensive tactical instructions, all of that has changed in FM23.

In FM23, we've seen a lot more defensive tactics deployed, ranging from high-press approaches to safety-first approaches.

There are also new offside trap preferences, and the defensive AI's interception angles have been improved.

Fans Matter More Than Ever

Fan support is hugely important in football. Without the passionate followings they build, there would be no big clubs.

Fans around the world show their passion for their clubs by going to matches and supporting them online. Because of the rise of social media as an outlet for fans to discuss their teams, FM23 now uses social media to raise the importance of fans.

In FM22, you could get feedback from fans in the game through social media, but FM23 takes it a step further. Listening to the voice of the fans is far more useful in FM23, since it helps develop your team's storytelling.

Fanbase Profile

With more research and data than ever, FM23 introduces the Fanbase Profile feature, which gives you information about your core fanbase. In total, your fanbase is split into six categories, letting you manage your team's expectations and keep Fan Confidence high.

Here are the categories:

• Hardcore: The most passionate fans
• Core: The average football fanatic
• Family: Moderate and patient fans
• Fair Weather: Fans impatient for success
• Corporate: Interested in the stadium's facilities
• Casual: Less passionate fans

For clubs fighting relegation, expect fewer Fair Weather fans. As a result, the overall fanbase will be more tolerant of slow progress.

On the other hand, a top-tier team fighting for a title will have far more Fair Weather and Casual fans who expect you to perform at a high level.

Fan Confidence

Board confidence has long been a key part of Football Manager. It's the easiest way to see how satisfied the board is with the club's performance relative to its targets. Now, in FM23, you also have Fan Confidence to factor in.

Fan Confidence reflects the mood of your supporters. While the board focuses more on your financial and strategic targets, fans focus on how you perform against local rivals, the club's identity, and the style of football you play.

In FM22, fans could comment on issues, but the board was in charge of your rating. In FM23, this is much more balanced.

A Better Match Engine

As with every new version of Football Manager, it's a given that the graphics in FM23 will be better than in FM22, bringing us a bit closer to reality.

Football Manager prides itself on delivering the closest experience to real-life management, and that's certain to be even more true in FM23.

Data Hub

In FM22, we were introduced to the Data Hub, which lets managers dig into analytical data to improve their teams. It was a huge success, and in FM23 it's been taken to the next level.

There will be more data to work with, and the feature will be easier and less cumbersome to use.

Verdict

As you can see, there are plenty of significant updates and improvements in FM23 compared to FM22.

Some of these updates will seem very minor, and you might not notice them, but added up together they become significant, and they make this iteration of the game feel more realistic than the last.

But you can push the game's realism even further with a few simple steps. If you're interested, you should check it out.