Seb Keenan sets Football Manager Guinness World Record

He has devoted six months of his life to tinkering and fine-tuning his teams. 

Now after completing an extraordinary 170 seasons, Seb Keenan, 26, from Oxford, has broken the world record for the longest single game of Football Manager. 

In real life, he may have broken up with his long-term girlfriend but on the game he boasts triumphs such as having both the Barcelona and Real Madrid stadiums named after him and winning the Champions League six times in a row with his beloved Oxford United.  

Seb Keenan, 26, from Oxford, played an extraordinary 170 seasons on Football Manager 2010

Mr Keenan, an English literature graduate, started playing the game while studying at Newcastle University. 

During that time he admitted to playing for seven hours a day.   

Speaking to MailOnline about his record-breaking feat, he said: ‘It feels great. Friends have dubbed it the “greatest achievement any of us will ever have”, screams of “legend” have been heard as I enter the office, and the response from Oxford United has been particularly pleasing. I’m hoping to get a walk-on and half-time announcement, if nothing else. My Dad is very proud…it’s probably quite concerning as he’s said it’s the best thing I am going to be able to achieve. 

‘It’s amazing to think you’ve achieved something no one else has bettered.’

Mr Keenan, a digital content strategist who now lives in London, said the only time he had stopped playing for a significant amount of time was when he had a long-term girlfriend.

‘We’re not together anymore’, he explained. ‘Needless to say it’s not the most endearing of games to play while in a relationship.

‘An Ebbsfleet v Grimsby FA Cup Final in the fictional year of 2120 hardly screams romance.’ 

He added: ‘She’s not aware yet [about the record].’ 

The 26-year-old English Literature graduate said: 'It's amazing to think you've achieved something no one else has bettered'

The 26-year-old English Literature graduate said: ‘It’s amazing to think you’ve achieved something no one else has bettered’

Mr Keenan, pictured tinkering with his Oxford United team on his laptop, has broken the record for the longest ever game of Football Manager

Mr Keenan, pictured tinkering with his Oxford United team on his laptop, has broken the record for the longest ever game of Football Manager

Mr Keenan started playing the game while a first-year student at Newcastle University in 2010.

He said: ‘I obviously had way more time on my hands back then…I could play for seven hours a day at my peak. After a couple of days of doing that though you do need to take a break. 

‘Nowadays I’ll play after work for an hour or so and at weekends if I’m not going out.’

Mr Keenan broke the world record for playing Football Manager 2010 for 170 seasons, which equates to six months in real time

Mr Keenan broke the world record for playing Football Manager 2010 for 170 seasons, which equates to six months in real time

The 26-year-old admitted the highly-addictive game, which he has played for eight years, could be all-consuming.

‘I’ve definitely been up at night thinking about who to buy and what shape my team’s going to take the next season’, he told MailOnline.

‘I’ve found it’s always better to do a transfer window in one go. To have played for so long without taking a break…I would say I’m pretty addicted to the game. 

‘I have certain superstitions like watching the important games instead of just having the commentary up…not that I think it actually makes any difference.’ 

Describing his managerial career on the game Mr Keenan said: ‘My first major time investment in a team as manager was Huddersfield. I got them into the Premier League and won the Champions League. 

‘After that I did 25 years with Queen’s Park Rangers, had the new Real Madrid Stadium named after me before settling in for a 30-season stint with Barcelona (via an ill-fated mess at Bristol City). 

‘On leaving Barcelona, where I averaged five major trophies a season for well over a decade, I jumped down the divisions to manage my beloved Oxford United in the Conference. I have since won the Champions League six times in a row with Oxford. After 20 seasons with them, I will never leave them as long as I play the game.’

He also fondly remembers an ancient Wayne Rooney retiring as Plymouth Argyle’s assistant manager.  

Mr Keenan proudly holds up his Guinness World Records certificate for playing the longest ever game of Football Manager

Mr Keenan proudly holds up his Guinness World Records certificate for playing the longest ever game of Football Manager

Technically speaking Mr Keenan would now be 190 years old on the game but once a manager reaches 100 they never get any older. 

‘My manager has been 100 for around 80 seasons now’, he said.  

Having reached managerial greatness, will he continue with the record-breaking game or finally call it a day?

‘I’m certain I’ll get to 200 years as I’m still playing’, he remarked. ‘It should take around four months to get there.

‘I’ve vowed to myself it’s the only game of Football Manager I’ll ever play. Once I’m finally finished, I couldn’t bring myself to start again.’

 

 

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