Football Manager 2023 launched on 8 November 2022 and was the first entry to carry official UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League branding, complete with the music, scoreboards and redrawn draws. Sports Interactive rebuilt recruitment around the Squad Planner and Recruitment Focus, and added Supporter Confidence, which splits your fanbase into Hardcore, Core, Family, Fair Weather, Corporate and Casual segments that judge you separately from the board. Match engine work went into goalkeeper distribution, spread blocks and aerial defending.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweeper Keeper | A | Balanced | Play Out Of Defence | Yes |
| Inverted Wing-Back | A | Balanced | Pass Into Space | Yes |
| Mezzala | A | Balanced | Counter | Yes |
| Segundo Volante | A | Balanced | Trigger Press | Yes |
| Pressing Forward | A | Balanced | Drop Off | Yes |
New player? Start with Inverted Wing-Back. See our beginner's guide for why.
Sweeper Keeper
Sweeper Keeper is a strong option in Football Manager 2023.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Play Out Of Defence |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Squad Planner |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Play Out Of Defence
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in UEFA Champions League to learn Sweeper Keeper-specific mechanics
- Focus on Squad Planner. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Play Out Of Defence as your first major upgrade
- See our full Sweeper Keeper build guide for the optimal gear progression
Inverted Wing-Back
Inverted Wing-Back is a strong option in Football Manager 2023.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Pass Into Space |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Recruitment Focus |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Pass Into Space
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in UEFA Champions League to learn Inverted Wing-Back-specific mechanics
- Focus on Recruitment Focus. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Pass Into Space as your first major upgrade
- See our full Inverted Wing-Back build guide for the optimal gear progression
Mezzala
Mezzala is a strong option in Football Manager 2023.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Counter |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Supporter Confidence |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Counter
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in UEFA Champions League to learn Mezzala-specific mechanics
- Focus on Supporter Confidence. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Counter as your first major upgrade
- See our full Mezzala build guide for the optimal gear progression
Segundo Volante
Segundo Volante is a strong option in Football Manager 2023.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Trigger Press |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Mentality and team instructions |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Trigger Press
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in UEFA Champions League to learn Segundo Volante-specific mechanics
- Focus on Mentality and team instructions. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Trigger Press as your first major upgrade
- See our full Segundo Volante build guide for the optimal gear progression
Pressing Forward
Pressing Forward is a strong option in Football Manager 2023.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Drop Off |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Role and duty familiarity |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Drop Off
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in UEFA Champions League to learn Pressing Forward-specific mechanics
- Focus on Role and duty familiarity. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Drop Off as your first major upgrade
- See our full Pressing Forward build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Inverted Wing-Back is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Sweeper Keeper is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Play Out Of Defence for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Pressing Forward offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
Segundo Volante shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Football Manager 2023 Guides
- Football Manager 2023 Football Manager 2023 Overview
- Football Manager 2023 Best Builds
- Football Manager 2023 Tier List
- Football Manager 2023 Walkthrough
- Football Manager 2023 Beginner's Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Tips & Tricks
- Football Manager 2023 Weapons Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Combat Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Boss Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Maps & Locations
- Football Manager 2023 Crafting Guide
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- Beat the Champions Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
- Rocket League Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
- Football Manager 2024 Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
