For the first time, the coaching carousel will be spinning in EA SPORTS FC. The developer explains the factors driving this change in a deep dive.
The AI coach is here to stay. Until now, that was the norm in EA SPORTS FC and FIFA career mode. A change in the coaching team? Unthinkable. With FC 26, EA SPORTS wants to change that: a transfer market for coaches is being introduced – one of the central features of the new game.
What’s special about this is that a change of coach doesn’t just affect the name on the bench. The coach’s playing philosophy also comes into play. If Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City and Diego Simeone takes over, it’s not just the shell that changes, but also the style of play. According to EA SPORTS, this will also have an impact on the squad.
How EA SPORTS plans to regulate the carousel
In Football Manager, the coaching carousel often spins rapidly – and sometimes arbitrarily. To prevent this from happening, EA SPORTS is introducing four parameters. The first is tenure: the longer a coach is with a club, the greater the desire for change.
Secondly, there is the possibility of being poached by another club: coaches can be lured away by other clubs, especially if their reputation and tactical ideas match the needs of the interested party. However, the focus is on achieving goals: success is what counts – both in sporting and financial terms. Last but not least, there is the end of a career.
However, only time will tell how virtual club boards will act. The developer left unanswered whether, for example, title collectors who fail to meet important budget targets will still have to leave.
Keep an eye on other coaches
Players in career mode can monitor the status of other coaches – similar to Football Manager. A job security table shows how secure a coach’s position is – or whether an opportunity may soon arise.
If you want to take the next step in your career, you have to prove yourself: your reputation will increase if you exceed expectations in your current job. The size of the club also plays a role. A direct jump from a fourth-division club to a top Premier League team is very unlikely. Other decisive factors include your tactical vision and nationality. The better your preferred style of play matches the philosophy of your dream club, the greater your chances of a successful application – but this is not always the case. Your chances of success also increase if you apply to a club in your home country.
For free agents, the quality of the club where they previously worked is taken into account. In addition, coaches can switch between men’s and women’s soccer—possible transfers are included in the evaluation process.
