In this post, we are going to be looking at the Managers Playstyles in eFootball.
In a previous post, I took an extensive look at the player’s playstyles and talked about how each player behaved in game and how you could use that to your advantage. Here on this post, we’re going to be looking at the managers.
A manager is the guy who runs the club. He’s in charge of recruiting and training players, picking the team for match day, choosing tactics, signing and selling off players etc. Once upon a time, managers like Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsené Wenger and even José Mourinho reigned supreme and had complete control. Now the emergence of the director of football role has seen some of the powers of a manager being stripped off.
For earlier football games, the role of the manager was completely overlooked or nonexistent. This has changed in more modern football games as the role of the manager has been given a lot more thought.
In eFootball, the managers are responsible for how the team behaves on the pitch.
Manager Playstyles in eFootball refers to how the team behaves on the pitch. It’s that simple.
What this means is that you just can’t pick up any manager and play as you choose. No. You have to pick a manager that is in tandem with a style that you like to play and then play accordingly. The manager will help set up your team so that your players actually play to your instructions.
Managers Playstyles in eFootball
There are 5 managers playstyles in eFootball. They are:
- Possession ball
- Quick counter (QC)
- Long Ball Counter (LBC)
- Outwide
- Long Ball
Now that we have seen the coaching styles, let’s examine each one to see which one you should be playing with.
Possession ball
As the name implies, possession ball is a brand of football where the team tries to keep hold of the ball and play their way into the opponent’s goal. This playstyle is loosely based on Pep Guardiola’s Tiki taka and Arsené Wenger’s Wengerball.
On the ball: when on the ball, the players will come closer to each other in order to provide passing options. The team will look to retain the ball and avoid running forwards into spaces. Most of the time, you’ll have to pass your way up the field before having a chance to shoot.
Off the ball: when the team is not in possession, they defend with a high line, apply heavy pressure on the opponents and give each other close support.
Examples of managers in game that use this tactic include Pep Guardiola (Luis A. Ramon), Carlo Ancelotti (D. Millesi), Arteta, Xavi etc.
Quick counter
This tactic entails your players hounding your opponents for the ball, winning it and making quick break at the opponent’s goalposts before they can recover. It requires speed, quick thinking and efficiency.
On the ball: players will look to run in behind the opponent’s defence into spaces, so you’ll need to release them with good through passes. When you win the ball, you’ll have to play quick passes and head for goal. Do not mess around playing short passes. You should only have one focus in mind, i.e. taking the fastest route to score.
Off the ball: players will defend with a high line, a heavy press and will be looking to fly up the field in case you win the ball back.
Managers who play Quick Counter include Jürgen Klopp (G. Zeitzler), Julian Nagelsmann etc.
Long ball counter
In LBC, you have draw your opponents out of their half and hit them with a long ball on the counter. The idea of drawing them out is to give you forwards space to run in behind.
On the ball: when on the ball, the team spreads out as the defense looks to play long balls to the forward players to latch on to. Long balls can be hit straight through the middle for a striker or diagonally to the wide forwards on the flanks. When done right, these forwards would run in behind the defence to have shot on goal.
Off the ball: players will defend with a very compact low block. The aim is to invite pressure from the opponent, win the ball and hit it long and high up the field for a counter.
Managers who play LBC include Diego Simeone (C. Valbuena), Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte (G. Ripa) etc.
Outwide
As the name implies, this tactic means that you’ll have to build your attacks from outwide and attempts crosses into the box. To enjoy this tactic, you’ll need to have cross specialists like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Saelemaekers, Blind, Beckham etc. on your team. You’ll also need to have a big strong striker with good heading ability like Haaland or Osimhen up front.
On the ball: when on the ball, players will generally overload the wide areas, so you’ll need to use the wings more. You may even decide to overload one side and then suddenly switch the play to the other wing, catching your opponent off guard. When you get to the edge of your opponent’s 18 yard box you can choose to cross or cut in and pass or shoot. Try and mix it up, keep your opponent on their toes. Usually, other players will get into the box to wait for headers or to finish off loose balls.
Off the ball: players will form a high defensive block in midfield and look to win the ball from there. If they win the ball, they’ll look to stretch the opposition by going wide.
Managers who play outwide include Antonio Conte, Gareth Southgate, Carlo Ancelotti (D. Millesi), Luciano Spalletti (P. Ardemagni), Pep Guardiola (pack) etc.
Long ball
The long ball tactic is one of the oldest tactics in world football. It essentially involves the goalkeeper or defender hoofing the ball high up the field for a target man (i.e a big, tall and strong striker). This striker usually holds the ball up or knocks it down for his teammates who either shoot or work the ball into a better shooting position for the target man. This tactic was once used to criticize English football because it was portrayed as lazy or mindless. A lot of home grown English football managers still employ it to this day.
On the ball: the big target man usually stays high up the pitch, playing off the shoulders of the opponent’s defenders. When the ball is won, his teammates fly up the pitch and then someone hoofs the ball up to the target man. The target man should knock the ball down for an oncoming teammate or just hold it up till support arrives.
Off the ball: players will collapse into a very low defensive block and will be looking to win the ball with hard pressing. As soon as they do. The defensive block breaks and they fly up the pitch to support the target man.
You’ll be hard pressed to find managers for this playstyle. Sean Dyche (F. Helson), Steve Bruce (Q. Fearon), David Moyes (E. Greening), Ivan Juric (E. Dragisic) etc. These are all English managers except for Juric.
Picking a team
Before throwing an 11 on the pitch, you have to train your players first. On eFootball, you can use experience points to train them to a certain playstyle. Note that you don’t need to train players of the week or featured cards.
When this is done, it is important that you take the players individual playstyle and ability into account. It would be very silly to play Salah as a target man in a long ball playstyle or play Jan Koller in quick counter system. Pick your players carefully. If you’re playing QC or LBC, think of fast strikers and wingers. If you’re playing possession, think of good passers and finishers. Cross specialists are very good for an outwide playstyle.
Note that the higher your team playstyle level, the better the team would play. Each player should have at least 90 points for a certain playstyle with a manager that has 80 or higher. Doing this will add an additional 2, 3 or even 4 points to your player’s overall ratings (OVR).
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