Football Manager is a challenging game that goes beyond simply picking players. It requires smart tactics, good management, and a deep understanding of the game. To help you get the edge, we’ve compiled some basic fm tips and tricks that can make a real difference in your managerial career.

Whether you’re struggling with tactics, transfers, or team morale, these insights will help you navigate the complexities of Football Manager and take your team to the top.

Getting Started with Football Manager

When you first start as a Football Manager, it might seem like a lot. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. The first thing you need to do is pick a team. Think about this carefully.

Do you want to try a team from a lower league? Or maybe start with a top club? There’s no right or wrong choice – it’s about what you find fun. After you pick your team, take some time to look around the game. Knowing where everything is will make things easier later.

Understanding how to use the game is important. It might look tricky at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll move through menus quickly. Explore each part of the game. The more you know about where things are, the faster you can make decisions during the game.

You might want to start with a team in the middle of a well-known league. This gives you a good mix of resources and challenges. You’ll have some good players, but still room to improve. Set some realistic goals for your first season. Don’t expect to win everything right away – focus on getting better and learning how to play.

Building Your Dream Team

Now that you’re set-up, it’s time to start building your team. This is where the fun begins! Start by looking at your current players. Who are your best players? Who might you need to sell?

One of the most exciting parts of Football Manager is finding and developing young talent. These players are often called “wonderkids”. Wonderkids are young players who could become really good. If you can find them early and help them improve, they could be important players for your team for a long time.

Finding wonderkids isn’t always easy. You need to set up a good scouting network. Send your scouts to different places to find the best young players. Don’t just look in the big leagues – sometimes the best players are in smaller leagues around the world.

When building your team, think about balance. You need a mix of experienced players and young players. Experienced players can help teach the younger ones and make the team more stable. Look for players who are good leaders and work well in a team to help create a positive atmosphere.

Mastering Tactics and Formations

Once you have your team, it’s time to think about how you’re going to play. This is where tactics come in. Your tactics decide how your team behaves on the field.

There are many different formations you can use in Football Manager. Some popular ones are 3-5-2, 4-1-2-2-1, and 4-3-3. Each formation has good and bad points. The key is to find one that works well with your players and how you want to play.

But tactics aren’t just about formations. You also need to think about team instructions, player roles, and set pieces. Don’t be afraid to try new things! Sometimes the best tactics are ones that no one else is using.

When creating your tactics, think about what your team is good at and what they’re not so good at. If you have fast wingers, you might want to focus on playing wide. If you have a strong midfield, you could try to keep possession of the ball. It’s also good to have more than one way of playing. You might need to change your approach based on who you’re playing against or how the game is going.

Training and Player Development

Training is a very important part of Football Manager. It’s how you make your players better and get them ready for matches. Setting up good training schedules can really help your team perform better.

When it comes to training, balance is key. You want to push your players to get better, but you don’t want to work them so hard that they get tired or injured. Pay attention to how your players are feeling and how happy they are, and change your training if you need to.

Individual training is also important. If you have a young player who could become really good, you might want to give them extra attention. You can focus on improving specific skills or even train them to play in a new position.

Don’t forget about mental skills. Things like determination, work rate, and teamwork can be just as important as physical skills. Think about having older, more experienced players mentor your younger players. An experienced pro can help develop these important mental skills and professional habits.

Understanding Player Roles and Traits

In Football Manager, it’s not just about a player’s stats. Their role in the team and their individual traits can make a big difference too.

Each position on the field has several different roles you can give to a player. For example, a striker could be a Target Man, a Poacher, or a Deep-Lying Forward, among others. Each role has different jobs and will affect how the player acts on the field.

Player traits are specific things that a player is good at or tends to do. These could be things like “Likes to Round Keeper” or “Tries Long Range Passes”. Understanding these traits can help you use your players better.

When giving roles to players, think about how they fit into your overall plan. A Ball Playing Defender might work well if you want to keep possession of the ball, while a No-Nonsense Defender could be better if you want to play more directly. Similarly, player traits can work well with your tactics or sometimes not fit so well. A winger who “Cuts Inside” might not be ideal if you want to play with width.

Match Day Management

All your hard work in training and tactics comes together on match day. This is when you’ll see if your plans are working or if you need to make some changes.

Before the match, make sure you’ve picked the right team. Think about who’s playing well, who’s tired, and who matches up well against the team you’re playing. Don’t forget to check if anyone is injured or suspended!

During the match, watch closely what’s happening. Are your tactics working? Do you need to make any substitutions? Football Manager 24 has a new feature called Match Plans, which can be helpful. These let you set up different ways of playing that you can switch between during the game.

Pay attention to the match stats and analysis. They can give you useful information about how the game is going. If you’re having trouble creating chances to score, you might need to change how you attack. If the other team is getting too many shots, you might need to play more defensively. Be quick to make changes – don’t wait until you’re losing to do something different.

Advanced FM Tips and Tricks for Experienced Managers

Once you’ve got the basics down, there’s still plenty more to learn in Football Manager. The game is deep and complex, with lots of advanced features for experienced players to explore.

One area that’s worth looking into is data analysis. Football Manager 24 has an improved Data Hub, which gives you lots of detailed information about how your team is performing. This can help you spot areas where you can improve that you might not notice just from watching matches.

Set pieces are another area where you can gain an advantage. Spending time creating effective corner and free-kick routines can lead to lots of extra goals over a season.

Finally, don’t forget about the long-term aspects of the game. Building a strong youth system, improving your club’s facilities, and managing your finances well can set you up for success for many seasons to come.

Think about investing in your backroom staff. Having good coaches, scouts, and physios can make a big difference to your team’s performance and development. Also, pay attention to your club’s finances. Smart transfer dealings and wage management can give you an edge over other teams in the long run.

Final FM Tips and Tricks

Football Manager is a deep and rewarding game. With these essential FM tips and tricks, you’re well on your way to becoming a top manager. Remember, the key to success is practice and trying new things. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. Before you know it, you’ll be leading your team to victory!

For more detailed guides and tips, be sure to check out our Football Manager blog. Happy managing!