In a significant reversal, developers Sports Interactive have released a major update for Football Manager 2026 that sees the return of the much-missed Matchday Shouts feature. The move comes after player feedback and data analysis following the feature's controversial removal at launch.
A U-Turn Driven by Fan Feedback
The ability to bark orders from the virtual dugout was absent from FM26's initial release, a decision the studio later admitted was a mistake. Despite acknowledging that shouts "didn't work as ideally intended" in the previous edition, FM24, the developers have now performed a U-turn.
In a post on the official Sports Interactive forum, a community team member stated the removal had compounded a feeling of passivity for long-term players, especially with extended match durations. The studio formally apologised, saying: "Our apologies, we got this one wrong – and so we’re bringing Shouts back, imminently."
The feature is set to return during the week commencing 8 December 2025 as part of 'Content Update 1'. Sports Interactive confirmed shouts will function exactly as they did in FM24, with a more sophisticated replacement planned for the future.
What Else is in the Major FM26 Patch?
This substantial update, currently on the Steam Public Beta Branch, encompasses far more than the nostalgic return of shouts. It represents the most significant patch for the game to date, packed with fixes and enhancements.
Key gameplay and match engine changes include:
- Tweaks to the frequency of shots from tight angles.
- Improvements to defender reactions against dribblers.
- Better decision-making from defenders when heading under no pressure.
- Enhanced attacking movement during counter-attacks.
- Various other Match AI adjustments.
The update also addresses a long list of technical issues and introduces considerable polish to the user interface. Notable fixes include problems with custom files, the Squad Planner, and specific kit clashes, such as the one between Everton's home and Brighton's away strips.
Community Reaction and the Placebo Effect
The news has been met with widespread approval from the Football Manager community. On platforms like Reddit, fans expressed their delight, often highlighting the psychological benefit of the feature, regardless of its debated mechanical impact.
One fan commented on the "fake dopamine" effect, while another joked about the need for "the placebo effect of calling my striker s****." The sentiment underscores that for many players, the shouts are an integral part of the matchday immersion, a ritual as important as any tactical tweak.
The misconception that shouts had "no effect," partly stemming from past comments by studio director Miles Jacobson, did little to dampen the enthusiasm for their return.
With this update, Sports Interactive demonstrates a clear commitment to responding to its player base, rectifying a misstep and bolstering FM26 with a host of stability and gameplay improvements. Virtual managers can soon once again demand more from their digital charges.
