Manager Mode AI

Hello EA Team,

I would like to report a recurring issue with AI decision-making in Manager Mode on Android.

The problem is not simply that my team loses matches. The problem is that the actual AI behavior often does not correspond to the tactical instructions I have selected.

I have observed the following repeatedly:

1. Unreasonable shooting decisions

My players frequently choose long-range shots when there is an obvious passing option to an open teammate in a much better position.

This happens even when Shooting Tendency is not set to maximum. Reducing the shooting tendency can reduce the frequency, but it does not eliminate these decisions.

2. Defensive AI does not consistently react

Defenders sometimes run alongside an opponent who has the ball without attempting a tackle, interception or block, even when they are in a reasonable position to challenge.

Increasing Pressure and Aggression can change the frequency of these situations, but the behavior remains inconsistent from match to match.

3. The same tactics can produce completely different AI behavior

With the same squad, formation and tactical settings, my team can behave normally in one match and then make obviously poor decisions in the next match.

This makes it very difficult to understand whether the tactical sliders are actually controlling AI decision-making as described by EA.

I have been testing Manager Mode extensively rather than judging the issue from one or two matches. For example, with my current 4-4-2 setup I recently recorded 10 matches against mostly 124–126 OVR opponents:

4 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses — 10 goals scored, 11 conceded.

The defensive stability improved after changing the defensive instructions, but the inconsistent AI decision-making remains.

I am not asking EA to explain the source code or internal AI algorithms.

I would like a gameplay-level clarification:

When an AI player chooses between an obvious pass and a low-percentage long-range shot, what determines that decision?

Is it primarily affected by:

Shooting Tendency?

Passing Tendency?

player attributes?

team OVR?

player positioning?

another AI decision-making factor?

And similarly:

When a defender is close enough to challenge an opponent, what determines whether the AI attempts a tackle/interception or simply follows the attacker?

EA's own explanation of Manager Mode says that tactics determine how players are instructed to play, while player attributes and team OVR determine how well they execute those instructions.

Therefore, I would like to understand why the observed AI decisions can directly contradict the tactical instructions.

I have also found multiple EA Forum reports describing similar Manager Mode AI and passing problems, including reports following recent updates.

Could the development/gameplay team please investigate whether this is a current AI issue in Manager Mode?

Most importantly, please do not treat this simply as a question of whether a player won or lost. The issue is the consistency and logic of AI decision-making.

Thank you.