I'm starting to think so... I've started managing at 25, just like you, and have been tearing through the Portuguese leage, winning 5 championships, 5 national supercups (6th on its way), 3 national cups, and have been consistently fighting for the Champions League, having one appearance at the first knockout stage, one final(lost 1-0 against AC Milan, typical italian play), two quarter-finals and a semi-final...
If I were playing fm 10 I'd already be managing a top team in a top league... Is anyone having the same issues?
It could be they simply changed the system to be harder to get hired...