This drop-down 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.
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.

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.
From here you can select New User to add a manager to the game. This will allow you to play multiplayer Football Manager without needing to connect to the internet. The New User selection on your Options drop-down will skip you straight into the Game Status screen with the new user parameters shown.

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.

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.

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!

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

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'.