The FM menu enables you to check and alter your settings and preferences for your current game as well as save or exit. It should be your first stop when you want to add another playing manager too.

Save Game
Frequently saving your game will help reduce the impact of crashes affecting your machine. The Save As option allows you to save your game under a new file name, retaining your own data. This option is sometimes used by managers unsure of a certain decision or prior to an important match as it enables them to 'turn back the clock' if things don't go according to plan. There's nothing to stop you from doing this, apart from that slightly hollow feeling you'll have if you win the league having 'cheated'. Remember - in the end you're only cheating yourself!

New/Load Game
This option allows you to load a previous game or start a brand new on without turning off Football Manager, be sure to save any data from your current game before doing this though.

Add New Manager
Allows you to add a new user to the game.

Game Status
Breaks down basic information about your game set-up. Use this screen to check when you last saved and view your Addictedness rating, which will tell you how much of a hardcore Football Manager you are. If you are experiencing slow gameplay, you can check which leagues are selected. If you are running too many leagues on high detail, then you should set-up a new game with fewer leagues to ease the pressure on your PC.

Detail Level
Detail level allows you to choose the exact amount of coverage you'll see from the various leagues and competitions you have selected. Depending on how much you value following a certain competition, you have the option of getting news, fixtures and results either throughout that tournament, just in the latter stages, or, if you want to progress your game more quickly, turning it off completely. Don't miss out on valuable updates because you've forgotten to turn your detail level back up though.

Hall of Fame
On the face of it, this screen simply gives raw stats about the most successful managers in history around the globe.

Aside from the fact it also allows you to see your name up in lights once you have enjoyed success yourself, it can be a valuable source of information. Click on a serving manager's name and their stats will appear, enabling you to examine their Profile. This will not only reveal their personal skills but also their tactical preferences. A Football Manager could do worse than examining what has made for a successful manager in the past and applying those principles in their own approach. These are seperated into club and national competitions.

Preferences
Configure your Game Preferences.

Refresh Media Comments
If you've used an editor to personalise media comments, you can simply use this option to update your existing game to include these updates.

Reset Advisors
Use this option to reset all Advisors back to default, which will then treat the human manager as entirely new to Football Manager and attempt to guide them through the game as if it were the start of a new one.

Manager Chat
During network games you can use the manager chat option to trash talk or simply natter with human opponents. It makes the process of playing online more sociable and enables you to meet other players of Football Manager. If you'd like to connect with other players, or wish to learn more about fans and players of the game, you can visit http://community.sigames.com of use the in-game links to unofficial community sites.

Print Screen
Offers options to print the current screen in different formats.

Help
Loads the tutorial.

Online Help
This tutorial not enough for you? Fear not - clicking Online Help will skip you straight to Sports Interactive's website with its bulging bootroom section offering official assistance for wayward bosses.

The Game Credits, Research and Community enable you to learn more about the makers and fans of Football Manager. You can use the Preferences option to tailor make the FM experience to suit your tastes.

Credits
Click to see those who have helped make the most recent Football Manager what it is today.

Community Info
A list of FM community websites.

Start Screen
Return to FM's main menu.

Quit Game
There's no turning back with this one. Make sure you've saved before you exit. And, remember, quitting the game is not the same as resigning, which is done by clicking on the Manager panel and selecting 'Resign'.