Manager career: run a club in a free football management game

How to start

1. Open play.trophora.com. First time? Tap Play your first match for an instant start, or tap Choose your own club, name and mode to set things up yourself.
2. Keep Manager mode selected and choose Men's game or Women's game.
3. Under 1 · Your manager, set your name, nationality, age, playing background and coaching badges. These decide your starting reputation.
4. Under 2 · How do you start?, pick Club only.
5. Choose a country and division, then tap a club card. Each card shows the board's target, the best player and the budget.
6. Tap Start career. You land in the Office.

What you control

• Squad: who plays, who sits, who goes.
• Tactics: 14 formations, five team styles (Quick break, Keep the ball, Hunt the ball, Go direct, Shut up shop), roles and duties.
• Training and player development across the season.
• Transfers: the market, scouting, free agents, loans and Deadline Day.
• Club: Boardroom, finances, banks and loans, staff, facilities, sponsors and the stadium.
• Matchday: play it, watch from the dugout, take quick highlights or just a quick result. Shout from the touchline and make subs.

A typical week

Each week starts in the Office: the next fixture, your Inbox and anything that needs a decision. Check who's injured, tweak the team on Tactics, then play the match your way. Between games, work the Transfers screens when the window is open, keep an eye on the money under Club, and see how you stand in the League table. Weeks without a match for you just need a tap on Continue.

How you win and progress

• Hit the board's target for the season. Every club card shows it before you start.
• Board confidence lives in Club > Club > Boardroom. At season end your league finish moves it by up to +20 or -30, and each other objective by 3.
• Let confidence slide and you can be sacked: at the season review, or mid-season if it drops below 10 after 12 league games.
• Win promotion, lift cups, push into continental competition and build the club's history and trophy cabinet.
• Your career level, achievements and weekly challenges sit on the Progress screen.

Tips

• Ask the board for help in the Boardroom with Request a meeting: a transfer budget boost, facility funding or more time. A refusal costs 3 confidence, so ask when things are going well.
• Your coaching badges and playing background set your starting reputation. Bigger jobs need more of both, so a modest club is a fair first step.
• Pick a club whose target looks reachable. A mid-table target at a decent side is far less stressful than a title-or-bust job.
• Phone tip: matches go full screen at kick-off, upright or sideways.