From Pitch to Sideline: Becoming a Manager After Player Career Mode in FIFA 23

Yes, you can transition from a player career mode to a managerial role in FIFA 23, but the method isn’t as straightforward as some might hope. You can essentially “retire” your player and then take on the role of a real manager. Here’s how it generally works:

1. Retire Your Player: During your player career, navigate to the “My Pro” section. Within “My Pro,” look for “My Player Actions” and then select “Retire.”
2. Managerial Offers: Once you retire, the game presents you with a limited selection of clubs to manage. These are randomly generated, so you won’t necessarily get your dream job right away.
3. Embrace Your New Role: Select a club, and you’ll transition into the standard manager career mode, taking control of all team aspects.

This article will dive deep into the nuances of this process, exploring alternative methods and answering frequently asked questions. This gives you a second wind and allows you to explore a new dimension of the game.

Understanding the Transition: Player to Manager

The transition from a celebrated player to a promising manager is a storyline as old as football itself. FIFA 23 attempts to capture this essence, albeit with some limitations. Understanding the mechanics behind this transition is crucial for players looking to extend their FIFA 23 experience beyond a single player career.

The Retirement Process: A Necessary Step

The “Retire” option in the “My Pro” menu is the only in-game method for initiating this transition. There’s no gradual shift or integrated player-manager role available natively within the game. Retiring effectively ends your player’s career and prompts the game to offer you managerial positions.

Club Selection: Randomness Reigns

A key point to note is the random nature of the club offers. The game doesn’t consider your player’s reputation, nationality, or past clubs when generating these offers. You might find yourself managing a team in a completely different league or with vastly different expectations.

Managerial Customization: Limited but Present

While you can’t directly import your created player’s attributes or personality into your manager persona, FIFA 23 does allow you to play as one of the 350+ authentic football managers. This adds a layer of realism by allowing you to manage using recognizable faces.

Extending Your Career: Alternative Approaches

While the in-game retirement method is the primary option, some players seek alternative ways to combine player and managerial roles.

The “Dual Career” Illusion

It’s important to clarify that FIFA 23 doesn’t natively support a true player-manager career. You can’t simultaneously play matches and manage the team. The transition is a one-time event, switching you entirely to the manager role.

Workarounds and Community Challenges

Some creative players have attempted to simulate a “dual career” through careful planning and self-imposed restrictions. This might involve:

• Creating a Player with High Potential: Developing a young player with exceptional leadership and tactical attributes.
• Focusing on Youth Development: Using the manager career to prioritize young players and foster a team culture aligned with your player’s values.
• Narrative Storytelling: Roleplaying your player’s influence on team decisions and developing a compelling narrative.

While these methods don’t change the game mechanics, they enhance the immersion and create a more engaging experience. You can learn more about game immersion and other concepts on the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

FAQs: All Your Player-to-Manager Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming a manager after a player career in FIFA 23:

1. Can I manage my former club after retiring? The club offers are random. There’s no guarantee you’ll be offered a job at your former club or any specific team.
2. Do my player’s stats affect the managerial offers I receive? No, your player’s attributes, rating, or achievements don’t influence the clubs that offer you a managerial position.
3. Can I choose which league I manage in after retiring? No. You don’t have control over the league or country of the clubs that offer you a job. The clubs are randomly generated, and you can only choose from the available options.
4. What happens to my player after I retire? Your player is effectively removed from the active player pool. The game might generate a new player with a similar name or characteristics, but it won’t be a direct continuation of your original player.
5. Can I play as a real manager instead of a created one? Yes, FIFA 23 allows you to play as one of over 350 authentic football managers, including more than 30 with star heads.
6. How long does a career mode last in FIFA 23? A career mode in FIFA 23 can last for a maximum of 15 seasons, ending with the 2036/37 season.
7. Is there a way to influence the clubs that offer me a managerial role? Unfortunately, no. The club selection process is entirely random and cannot be influenced by any in-game actions or settings.
8. Can I go back to playing as a player after becoming a manager? No, the transition from player to manager is a one-way process. Once you retire your player, you cannot revert to playing as them.
9. What is the best way to prepare for a managerial career during my player career? Focus on developing your player’s leadership and tactical attributes. While these stats don’t directly impact managerial offers, they can enhance your roleplaying experience and inform your managerial decisions.
10. Can I use custom tactics from my player career in my manager career? No, custom tactics and player instructions are specific to each career mode. You’ll need to create new tactics and instructions for your managerial career.
11. Is it possible to become a national team manager after retiring as a player? Yes, after a few seasons in manager mode, you may receive offers to manage national teams. Performance and reputation will influence these offers.
12. Does training matter in FIFA 23 career mode? Yes, training does matter in FIFA 23 Career Mode.
13. Can you get promoted in FIFA 23 Career Mode? Yes, you can get promoted in FIFA 23 Career Mode.
14. What happens if I rage quit in FIFA 23? Quitting the game impacts your form negatively.
15. How many career mode slots in FIFA 23? There are a total of 17 career mode save files available in FIFA 23.

Conclusion: A Rewarding, Albeit Limited, Transition

While the transition from a player career to a manager career in FIFA 23 is not as seamless or customizable as some players might desire, it remains a viable and rewarding way to extend your gameplay experience. By understanding the mechanics, embracing the randomness, and utilizing alternative approaches, you can create a compelling and engaging journey from the pitch to the sidelines. Ultimately, the decision rests on your preference for control versus the emergent narratives that FIFA 23’s career mode can offer.