Player Roles Guide for Football Manager 2023

Putting players in the right positions is just the beginning; the next step is to get them to play roles that fit your plan. A player positions guide for Football Manager.
Updated for FM 2023

Do you understand what your Segundo Volante, Regista, Carrilero, and Mezzala are?

Don’t worry; this complete guide assists you in each and every role.

Which position should you assign your player to?

Indeed, even just coming up with a tactic is difficult than one may think!

How do Roles Appear?

It is pretty simple to determine how effective a player is in their potential roles in Football Manager 2023.
A pop-up box with multiple shaded circles adjacent to the roles appears when a player role is selected.

The player does better in that role when the circle is greener (fuller), and conversely, when the circle is more red (less full), the player performs worse.

So how can this be changed to improve a player?
A player can learn a new role through training, development, tactics, and game time can a player learn a new role.

(1) Goalkeeper Roles

1.1 Goalkeeper

Explained The Goal Keeper:

The Goalkeeper role is having your keeper’s main focus on making saves from shots and collecting crosses. Essentially your keeper is the last line of defense and is the “traditional” keeper. Despite being traditional, depending on their attributes they can still play key passes and have excellent distribution.

Goalkeeper (G) – GK Defend
Instructions	None
Natural playing styles	Core	Attacking	Defensive
	Balanced	Balanced	Balanced

Roles Of Goal Keeper:

• Defend – There is only one role and that is to stop goals going in. Simple and straightforward, defend the net.

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1.2 Sweeper Keeper

Explained The Sweeper Goal Keeper:

Chance Prevention: Control the space behind the defensive back line.
This Goalkeeping role is a mixture between being a standard keeper and a Libero in essence. They will clean up balls from out wide or come out far; potentially even outside their box to play as an extra player or to initiate passes and start counter-attacks with direct through balls. A sweeper keeper does not necessarily mean a brilliant distributor – it means that they can come out quickly and clean up balls which then puts them in an advantageous position to restart play, including long clearances.

Roles Of Sweeper Goal Keeper:

• Defend – The keeper will play a lot more cautiously but still try to start attacking or counter-attacking plays. They do not venture too far out of their box when in possession.
• Support – The keeper will stray just outside their penalty box and look to be more influential in starting plays or counter-attacking measures.
• Attack – A very “brave” keeper who will travel far outside their area and be heavily involved with the ball at their feet.

Player Instructions of Sweeper Goal Keeper:

• Support and Attack duty – Take More Risks
• Attack duty – Dribble More

Hidden player instructions: rush out more, use more creative freedom

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(2) Defending Roles

2.1 Wide Centre-Back

Explained The Wide Center-Back:

The main duty of this role is to stop the opponent’s offense and clear the ball from danger. Unlike standard central defenders, however, the Wide Centre-Back is encouraged to stay wide in position and support the midfield like a full back.

Roles Of Wide Center-Back:

• Defend – The player is more like a traditional centre-back in a back five. They will provide support in wide areas at times, but from deep. Less likely to overlap or under-lap and more likely to provide a diagonal backwards passing option.
• Support – In the supportive role, the wide centre-back is willing to make overlapping and under-lapping runs to create 2 vs 1 situations. In this essence, they play more of a “fullback” role in supporting the midfield.
• Attack – With an attack duty, the player is willing to make regular overlapping and under-lapping runs to create 2 vs 1 situations, and also has a higher tendency to dribble with the ball.

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2.2 Central Defender

Explained The Central Defender:

Main job is to clearing the ball from danger when necessary includes being good on the feet and keeping possession. In some tactics this means being effective with your feet and maintaining control.

Roles of Central Defender:

• Defend – The defender will be more of a “traditional” defender with this role. They will be with their defensive partner(s) in working to break up attacks, preventing the ball from going into the box and marking opposition as a part of your tactic.
• Stopper – The stopper is the defender who will step up a bit more and close down players, marking earlier in the defensive plays.
• Cover – This role will make your defender play more as a sweeper, they will drop back a bit further then your defensive partner(s) and sweep up balls and mark overlapping players (has to be made specific with tactics).

Player Instructions of Central Defender:

• Dribble Less, Shoot Less Often
• Defend duty – Hold Position
• Stopper duty – increase pressing intensity
• Cover duty – decrease pressing intensity

Hidden player instructions of Central Defender:

• Stopper duty – Hold Position (but move into a more advanced position to close down)
• Cover duty – Hold Position (but move into a deeper position to sit off)

Player Traits of Central Defender:

• Complementary player traits: Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times
• Contrasting player traits: Brings Ball Out Of Defence, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Shoots From Distance, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks

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2.3 Libero

Explained The Libero:

A libero is a defender who plays behind the rest of the back line, covering and sweeping across the spaces behind other defenders.
After a reclaim, the job expanded to include passing forwards – frequently to launch a counter-attack – and eventually driving into midfield with the ball or running forward off the ball to initiate an attack.

One fantastic advantage of this duty is that it allows an additional man to be further back to handle defensive blunders and take possession of faulty or lost balls.

Roles of Libero:

• Support – When your team is in possession and looking to start attacking play, the libero will step into a midfield role.
  In essence, a deep lying playmaker.
• Attack – With the Attack duty on, the libero has nearly unlimited freedom to move forward and present a goal scoring threat either in the box or from a distance.

Player Instructions of Libero:

• Decrease pressing intensity, Take More Risks
• Attack duty – Get Further Forward, Dribble More, Shoot More Often

Hidden player instructions of Libero:

• Move into a deeper position to sit off, use more creative freedom
• Support duty – carry the ball more

Player Traits of Libero:

Complementary player traits of Libero:

• Brings Ball Out Of Defence, Dictates Tempo, Likes to Switch Ball To Other Flank, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Stops Play, Tries Killer Balls Often
• Attack duty – Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Often, Shoots From Distance, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks

Contrasting player traits of Libero:

• Dwells On Ball, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Rarely
• Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Stays Back At All Times

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2.4 Ball Playing Defender

Explained The Ball Playing Defender:

This is the more prevalent role in modern football, with defenders being required to play out of the back and be excellent in passing.
They will still be responsible for defending and stopping opponent assaults, but they are encouraged to play long balls or move forward with splitting balls and passes.
This is really key for counter attacks.

Roles Of Ball Playing Defender:

• Defend – The defender will not venture forward with this role; they will continue to execute defensive tasks and play passes out of the back, but their position will be in line with the defensive line or their partner.
• Stopper – Like a conventional Central Defender, they will close down players before entering the box. This is fantastic for ball-players as if received or intercepted, they are a little more advanced to pass out – but can be caught out if not careful.
• Cover – In this role, the defender drops deeper and plays passes across the back, to the wings, or from behind the defensive line.

Player Instructions Of Ball Playing Defender:

• Slightly increase passing directness, Take More Risks
• Defend duty – Hold Position
• Stopper duty – increase pressing intensity
• Cover duty – decrease pressing intensity

Hidden player instructions Of Ball Playing Defender:

• Carry the ball more, use more creative freedom
• Stopper duty – Hold Position (but move into a more advanced position to close down)
• Cover duty – Hold Position (but move into a deeper position to sit off)

Player Traits Of Ball Playing Defender:

• Complementary player traits: Brings Ball Out Of Defence, Dictates Tempo, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Stays Back At All Times, Stops Play, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries Long Range Passes
• Contrasting player traits: Dwells On Ball, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Plays No Through Balls, Plays One-Twos, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Rarely

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2.5 No-Nonsense Centre Back

Explained No-Nonsense Centre Back:

The “old-school” defence role, with only one goal in mind: clear it and stop attacks.
The purpose of the defender assigned to this job is to win the ball and clear it up the pitch while taking no risks.
Even if the risk is low, these clearances may involve sending it to the stands rather than looking for a pass.

Roles Of No-Nonsense Centre Back:

• Defend – As with the Central Defender, they must keep in line with their defensive partner and break up attacks.
• Stopper – They will charge ahead, attempting to stop the ball or close down players before entering the penalty box.
• Cover – Will drop a little deeper to catch any long balls.

A No-Nonsense Centre Back is a type of defender who prioritizes simplicity and effectiveness in their defensive play. They focus on defending their team’s goal and disrupting the opposition’s attacks with a minimum of fuss. Some of the key roles and responsibilities of a No-Nonsense Centre Back include:

1. Defensive solidity: A No-Nonsense Centre Back is primarily responsible for providing a solid defensive foundation for their team. They are expected to be physically strong, aggressive, and dominant in the air. They must be able to read the game well and make timely interceptions and tackles to prevent the opposition from scoring.
2. Clearing the ball: A No-Nonsense Centre Back is not afraid to clear the ball away from danger when necessary. They will not take unnecessary risks in their defensive play and will prioritize getting the ball out of danger as quickly as possible.
3. Leadership: No-Nonsense Centre Backs are often leaders in their team’s defense, providing a vocal and commanding presence on the field. They must be able to communicate effectively with their teammates and organize the team’s defensive shape.
4. Winning aerial duels: No-Nonsense Centre Backs often excel in winning aerial duels against opposing attackers. They must be able to time their jumps well and use their physical strength to outmuscle their opponents.
5. Limiting mistakes: A No-Nonsense Centre Back is expected to limit their mistakes and not take unnecessary risks in their defensive play. They must be able to make simple and effective decisions that prioritize their team’s defensive stability over any potential attacking opportunities.

Player Instructions No-Nonsense Centre Back:

• Increase passing directness, Dribble Less, Shoot Less Often, Take Fewer Risks
• Defend duty – Hold Position
• Stopper duty – increase pressing intensity
• Cover duty – decrease pressing intensity

Hidden player instructions No-Nonsense Centre Back:

• Use more tactical discipline
• Stopper duty – Hold Position (but move into a more advanced position to close down)
• Cover duty – Hold Position (but move into a deeper position to sit off)

Player Traits No-Nonsense Centre Back:

• Complementary player traits: Plays No Through Balls, Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times, Tries Long Range Passes
• Contrasting player traits: Brings Ball Out Of Defence, Dictates Tempo, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Plays One-Twos, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Shoots From Distance, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks

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(3) Midfield Roles

3.1 Defensive Midfielder [DESTROYER]

Explained Defensive Midfielder:

As a midfielder, their primary responsibilities include safeguarding the defensive line while the team is not in possession, and providing assistance to the midfield and forward players during possession. Additionally, they play a critical role in retaining possession and setting the pace of play to enable the defense and offense to regroup or maneuver into position.

Roles Of Defensive Midfielder:

• Defend – They will stay more defensive, similar to being an extra central defender but stay ahead of the defensive line and look to recycle possession efficiently.
• Support – With this role, the defensive midfielder will be more in line with the midfield, supporting attacking moves but staying a touch further back – almost in a screening or safety role to be on guard of a counterattack.

Player Instructions of Defensive Midfielder:

Defend Duty – decrease pressing intensity, Hold Position, Dribble Less, Shoot Less Often.

Player Traits Of Defensive Midfielder:

• Complementary player traits:
  Defend duty – Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times.
• Contrasting player traits:
  Defend duty – Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Shoots From Distance, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks.

Here is a diagram of the defensive midfielders passing options in a 4-3-3 Formation:

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3.2 Deep Lying Playmaker

Explained Deep Lying Playmaker:

This player operates in the areas between the defense and midfield, with the objective of initiating attacking moves by distributing the ball to players or spaces further up the field. While their primary focus is on creativity, they must also fulfill their defensive responsibilities. In essence, they function as a deep-lying playmaker, utilizing their a creative passer from deep.

Roles Of Deep Lying Playmaker:

• Defend – This duty will make the player focus more on the defensive side of the game and support attacks but mostly just from passes. Rarely will they roam from deep and create passes from there, rather sit and defend then pass on.
• Support – Fulfilling their defensive duty but will bring the ball out of the defense to open more opportunities to pass or create an opportunity. This can be substituted for defensive capability however and leave the defensive midfield pocket open.

Player Instructions Of Defensive Midfielder:

• Hold Position, Shoot Less Often
• Defend duty – decrease pressing intensity, Dribble Less
• Support duty – Take More Risks

Hidden player instructions Of Deep Lying Playmaker:

Collect the ball more, use more creative freedom, focus play (this role is a playmaker focal role which instructs a player’s teammates to pass to him more often)

Player Traits Of Deep Lying Playmaker:

• Complementary player traits Deep Lying Playmaker:

1. Comes Deep To Get Ball, Dictates Tempo, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Stays Back At All Times, Stops Play.
2. Defend Duty – Runs With Ball Rarely.
3. Support Duty – Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Tries Killer Balls Often

• Contrasting player traits Deep Lying Playmaker:
  

1. Arrives Late in Opponents’ Area, Dwells On Ball, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Plays No Through Balls, Plays One-Twos, Plays Short Simple Passes, Shoots From Distance.
2. Defend Duty – Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks.
3. Support Duty – Plays No Through Balls.

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3.3 Ball Winning Midfielder:

Explained Ball Winning Midfielder:

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3.4 Anchor Man:

Explained Anchor Man:

This player’s primary responsibility is to occupy a central position between the defense and midfield. Their main objective is to retrieve the ball, intercept offensive plays, and when they regain possession, distribute the ball to a more creative teammate. This player’s positioning is relatively fixed, as they do not typically advance too far forward nor drop back as a Libero or extra center-back. Consequently, they are not often called upon to press opposing players who are too far forward.

roles  Anchor Man:

• Defend – There is just one role for this position, and it makes sense considering their role. They are best suited in a structured system who have the straight-forward task of anchoring the defense, not being too creative nor dribble – essentially as risk free as possible.

Player Instructions of Anchor man:

• Decrease pressing intensity, Hold Position, Dribble Less, Shoot Less Often, Take Fewer Risks

Player Traits of Anchor man:

• Complementary player traits: Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times
• Contrasting player traits: Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Shoots From Distance, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks.

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3.5 Half Back:

Explained The Half Back:

The Half Back position can be described as a hybrid role, combining features of both an aggressive sweeper and a defensive midfielder. In possession, the Half Back tends to drop back deeper than a traditional defensive midfielder, with the objective of providing an option for efficiently recycling possession and guarding against counter attacks.

Player Instructions of half back:

Decrease pressing intensity, Hold Position, Dribble Less

Hidden player instructions of Half Back:

drop deep more

Player Traits of Half Back:

• Complementary player traits:
  Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times
• Contrasting player traits:
  Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Likes To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks.

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3.6 Regista:

Explained The Regista:

3.7 Roaming Playmaker:

Explained The Roaming Playmaker:

This player’s strategy involves receiving the ball from a distant location and advancing it towards the opponent’s goal by utilizing skillful runs, precise passes, and imaginative tactics. Their objective is to move towards the region outside the opposing team’s penalty box in order to generate scoring opportunities or attempt a shot on goal.

Roles Of Roaming Playmaker:

• Support – The primary responsibility of the Support role is to act as a Roaming Playmaker, providing support for the attacking players across the entire midfield. Their role involves facilitating forward-thinking play and contributing to the team’s offensive efforts.
  

Player Instructions Of Roaming Playmaker:

Roam From Position, Take More Risks

Hidden player instructions Of Roaming Playmaker:

Collect the ball more, carry the ball more, use more creative freedom, make more surging forward runs, track back more, focus play (this role is a playmaker focal role which instructs a player’s teammates to pass to him more often).

Player Traits of Roaming Playmaker:

• Complementary player traits: Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Comes Deep To Get Ball, Dictates Tempo, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Stops Play, Tries Killer Balls Often
• Contrasting player traits: Dwells On Ball, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times

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(4) FLANK Roles

4.1 Wing Back