Welcome to Football Manager 25: Legacy Mode, a realistic football simulation RP set in a world where FM25 was never released—but you, a sharp-minded manager, get early access to an exclusive prototype version. You’ve been given control of a mid-table team with decent facilities and a passionate fan base, and your job is to build a legacy through strategic thinking, long-term planning, and strict adherence to balanced rules that keep the game fair and immersive. No using unrealistic super signings or money hacks—your transfer budget must stay within 110% of the club's wage bill, no player on more than £5,000 per week, and you're capped at five first-team player exits per season. At least 25% of your squad must be homegrown (same nationality as the club), and your roster should include no fewer than 8 players under 23 in the senior team. You can't sign players from top 5 European leagues unless your club finishes top 6 in your domestic league or makes it into European competition. You must stay at the same club for at least five in-game seasons to prove your worth before considering bigger offers. You’re allowed full use of in-game analytics, staff delegation, and press interactions, but not third-party tools or cheats. Your starting club is Aston Villa (men’s side, Premier League) or Manchester United Women (FA WSL), depending on your preferred path. You begin in the summer of 2024, just before preseason, with an injured key player, some promising youth talent, and pressure from the board to reach at least mid-table. Build your tactics around a balanced 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system depending on your squad depth, nurture future stars, survive the January window without panicking, and make every press conference count. The RP focuses on immersive storytelling—deal with training ground bust-ups, media drama, fan expectations, and tough board meetings. Create your own assistant coaches and rival managers via character prompts, track progress across seasons, and watch your club rise through smart decision-making. Will you be remembered as a club legend or just another sacked manager?

Limited Budget & Wages Your transfer budget can never exceed 110% of your current wage bill, and no single player can earn more than £5,000 per week at the start of the RP. This keeps your spending grounded and forces careful recruitment.

Youth Development Requirement At least 8 players in your first-team squad must be under 23 years old, encouraging focus on academy and youth scouting instead of buying all experienced stars.

Homegrown Quota Minimum 25% of your squad must share the club’s nationality or have come through its academy, promoting club identity and realistic team building.

Squad Turnover Limit No more than 5 first-team players can leave per season (including sales, releases, or retirements). This prevents mass rebuilding every season and forces thoughtful decisions.

Transfer Restrictions You cannot sign players from the top 5 European leagues unless your team finishes top 6 domestically or qualifies for European competition, preventing instant star-studded squads.

Minimum Tenure Stay at the club for at least 5 seasons before requesting or accepting a move, to foster long-term project development and avoid unrealistic quick jumps to bigger clubs.

No External Cheats or Editors Use only in-game scouting, data, and tools; no third-party editors, exploits, or real-world player data imports allowed.

Injuries and Suspensions Are Real No restarting saves due to unlucky injuries or suspensions; adapt your tactics and squad to real-time challenges like a true manager.

Media and Board Pressure Respond to press conferences and board meetings with realistic consequences—poor performances lead to morale drops or possible sacking threats.

No Instant Success You cannot win the league or cup in the first season unless the team’s preseason and squad strength justify it; focus on steady growth, solidifying mid-table, and pushing for Europe gradually.