Darts Star Faces Criticism Over Football Manager Addiction

Football Manager's Impact on Darts Performance

A World Darts Championship competitor is under scrutiny from his wife, who attributes his underwhelming performances to his obsession with Football Manager. Kim Huybrechts, a Belgian darts player, recently faced a tough defeat that raised concerns about his dedication to the sport.

Recent Struggles in the Championship

In the second round of the World Darts Championship on December 23, 2024, Huybrechts suffered a disheartening 3-0 loss to Richard Veenstra, marking a career low as he failed to secure a single leg. This disappointing outcome led him to label the match as "perhaps the biggest disappointment of my career." His wife, Dana Verhaegen-Huybrechts, openly criticized him, calling him a "spoiled brat" and blaming his poor form on his Football Manager addiction.

Wife's Frustration and Support

Dana expressed her disappointment in an interview, stating, "Kim is actually a spoiled brat. He's addicted to Football Manager while I do everything around the house. Kim has so much talent, but no character. Lazy is an understatement." Despite her harsh words, she believes in his potential, asserting that when Huybrechts is on his game, he is capable of competing against anyone.

A Recap of Huybrechts' Career

Once a prominent player in the PDC rankings, Huybrechts held the 12th position at his peak. He has five PDC Pro Tour titles and notably reached the quarter-finals at the World Darts Championship. However, recent years have not been kind, with consecutive first-round exits in the tournaments.

Path to Improvement

At 40 years old, Huybrechts is currently ranked 46th and has achieved 100 wins out of 151 matches in 2026. While his ranking may not reflect the top-tier level he once enjoyed, he credits recent changes to his coaching and physical training as factors in his comeback. Partnering with former player Erik Clarys along with a new diet regimen and fitness routine has spurred an upswing in his game.

Darting Challenges and Future Aspirations

Despite improvements, Huybrechts acknowledges the difficulties imposed by the ranking system, which can hinder players similar to him. He conveyed this sentiment on the Darts Draait Door Podcast, expressing frustration with a system that can be challenging for those in a slump and for newcomers alike, saying, "Over the years, they’ve made the system a bit impossible for people in a difficult phase of their career, but also for new players. The protection of the top players is part of that."

Football Manager 27 Launch Details

Looking ahead, Football Manager 27 is set to release on November 10, with pre-orders already available across several platforms, including Xbox and PC. Priced at £49.99, a promotional discount of 16 percent is currently offered on the Fanatical website. Interested gamers can use the code SPORTBIBLE5 for an additional five percent off, bringing the total down to £39.89. Pre-ordering ensures players can dive into the game following the early access period ending on November 3, 2026.

Where to Get Football Manager 27

• Steam/Microsoft: Fanatical
• Xbox: Loaded
• PS5: Playstation