Football Manager: become a Master Manager (up to FM24!)

FM23 update
In this version, you'll find the types of supporters your club has. You can see how the fan base is divided: Hardcore, Core Family, Fair Weather, Corporate or Casual. In theory: the more hardcore fans, the more support you have when things are going well and the more you'll get in trouble when you're not. There is more focus on how the fans perceive you and you'll get updates on that but I haven't noticed it making a huge difference.

FM22 update
Team Report has been replaced. Now you can find the same data, and more, in the Data Hub. If you're the type of manager who likes to study all the data, this is the place to be. Make sure you get the best analysts (see: 8. Hiring and Firing staff).

The Squad Depth charts can be found in the Squad tab.

FM24
The role of Set Piece Coach has been added. For more info, please read the text at video 28 (Set pieces attacking) or 29 (Set pieces defending).

FM21 (and 22) update
In FM21, you can sign recruitment analysts and performance analysts. They replace the data analysts.

The data analyst was, as I wrote in the Staff guide, "a laptop scout who can provide you with stats: opposition pre-match reports and post-match reports about the performance of your players. The latter is, in my opinion, the most interesting thing they do. You can also ask a data analyst to ‘scout’ a (potential) transfer target. The analyst doesn’t look at the player attributes; he just tells you about his performance (for example: 2 out of 10 crosses connected)."

So, in FM21, the data analyst is split up into two roles. It makes sense, the performance analyst joins your coaching team to provide you with stats on your team's performance. The recruitment analyst joins your scouting team.

Just be aware that important attributes differ per type of analyst. Personally, I don't use stats and analysts a whole lot; I prefer to trust in the attributes and personalities of players. You could go a different route!

FM21 update
Some player traits have been slightly renamed but are still very recognizable as the traits in FM20. One trait that is a real addition to FM21 is 'cross early'.

This trait can be beneficial for players on the wing (wingers, wide midfielders, or wingbacks) with a high rating for crossing, when you play with strikers with great heading and/or anticipation/off the ball ability. It could be extra beneficial for players with a great cross but without pace and/or the ability to run past opponents on the wing (think: David Beckham).

Be aware that this trait could make or break a tactic. It can work well in a counter tactic, with the tactical instruction 'hit early crosses', for example. But it can break a tactic when you try to work the ball into the box like Barcelona.

Good to combine with ‘Likes ball played into feet’, ‘Hugs the touchline’ and/or ‘Curls balls’.

FM24 update
After the inverted wingback (the attacking back, coming into the midfield when you have the ball; think Zinchenko) you now have the Inverted Fullback at your disposal. You can see this as the Kyle Walker role at Manchester City. When City has the ball and the left back goes forward, he becomes the third central defender in the build-up, on the right side of the pitch.

The Libero role has been improved as well. This role works well with the Inverted Fullback role since you can see it as the 'John Stones - role', also at Manchester City. Stones regularly moves, in possession, into the midfield and becomes a midfielder. When defending, he will function as a normal defender (when back on time...).

In general: the movement of players is improved. Now players won't be in each other's way as much as in previous versions of the game. For example: when the Libero goes into midfield, you can count on midfielders to move to other positions. However, it is more important than ever to create tactics with logical roles. A lot of holding midfielders and a Libero coming into the midfield won't work.

FM22 update
In this version of Football Manager, the role of the Wide Centre-back has been added. You can use this type of centre-back (central defender) when playing with three central defenders. The player in the middle of that set-up can't have this role. The role is not available when playing two centre-backs either. I've played with this role in several ways to test what works well.

The most important thing to take into account, obviously, is attributes. The Wide Centre-back moves and dribbles forward a lot and will, in most tactics, work with the wingback on his side of the pitch. He will run/dribble past him through the middle of the pitch or take the role of wingback if the (inverted) wingback moves towards the center of the field. That means the player should be a decent defender and have technical abilities like dribbling, crossing, passing, and maybe even long shots. That makes good Wide Centre-back rare. Also, look at player traits. These could work well with the role or counteract with it.

I would advise using one player in this role, preferably on attack or support. When using both in this role, your defense becomes a bit too vulnerable. You could use two when you play two holding defensive midfielders or when your team is a very strong dominant force.

You could even try to play with 3 at the back and without wingbacks. I've tried a very unconventional 3-2-1-3-1 formation with Chelsea. The two Wide Centre-backs, connected with the two wingers and were covered by two defending midfielders. This worked pretty well. I don't think this would work well with a lot of teams though; in most cases, you would become very vulnerable defensively without any type of back.

Generally, the Wide Centre-back role seems like a good role to use. 

FM24 update
Selling players got a big overhaul in this version of the game. The option "offer to clubs" made a place for TransferRoom; it's like a transfer list where you can put your players in.

There are multiple options added in order to sell players more easily. Agents have a bigger role now. It's advisable to first talk to the agent of the player you want to sell, about a potential sale. This will give you an indication on how eager the player is to leave (or not). The agent can help to drum up interest in the player. Dropping the player in the TransferRoom can get you more offers.

No luck selling a player like this? Now you can use an independent Intermediary to help you out. After selecting "hire intermediary", your Director of Football or another staff member will present you with a few options. Each intermediary has a certain reach and a percentage of the transfer fee (10% max) they charge when they help you offload a player. When you're not in a rush, it is wise to try the lowest percentage first. If this intermediary can't do the job, you can hire a better broker. When you really need to sell a player fast: go for the most expensive option. You'll lose a bit of money but the chance that you will sell a player increases.

I have to experiment more with the new options. It looks promising! I'll update this once I know more.

FM22 update
In FM 22, transfer values are less exact. The game gives you a minimum and maximum instead of one transfer value. My perception is that both change a bit quicker compared to earlier games. This change makes the game more realistic. You'll also find scouting costs are a bit more present in the game. Take this into account when managing a smaller club or when you're in financial trouble.

FM21 update
One of the biggest new features is the recruitment meeting. They are planned a few weeks before the start of a transfer window. You join your chairman, chief scout, and assistant manager to talk about the transfer needs of the club.

You’ll get suggestions on where to strengthen your squad. After that, you can look at potential signings (player reports) for that/those position(s) and set scouting assignments.

It is a nice little feature because it’s immersive; giving you the feeling that you really are working together with the board and your staff. But practically, it doesn’t change anything to the way I play the game. I still decide which positions I want to strengthen and how I do that. And I can set scouting assignments myself as well.

I can't really give any tips on this. Just roll with the meeting!

FM23 update
Scouting is now divided into stages and not percentages. Try to get to 'extensive' or sign players sooner once you're convinced or when you've got competition from other clubs.

FM21 update
Practically, the only change in the scouting and signing of players is the addition of the “ask agent about availability” option. You can find this in a player profile under ‘transfer’.

The agents tells you straight away whether his client is interested in a transfer and what you should expect when it comes to his wages. He also informs you on what his current club will demand in terms of transfer sum. They are pretty accurate so you can trust what they tell you. Surely there is a chance you can convince a player over time (praising him in the media, continue to follow/scout him, and make offers). But in general: believe the agents.

I find this very helpful! Especially because it saves time scouting a lot of players. For example, when you have a shortlist of 10 potential strikers to sign; just talk to the agents and start scouting the ones who are interested to join and fit your budget. Or make an offer straight away.

There can be a little downside to this. After making the inquiry with the agent, your club has shown ‘minor interest’ in the player. This could sometimes wake up his current club which can result in a contract extension before you are able to sign him. It can also wake up other potential buyers to chase the player more actively. But, most of the time, I don’t see this happening.

FM24 update
The way you set up set pieces is (finally) improved. This video can still be helpful to learn about how things are done; this hasn't changed but now you can set it up a lot faster. Also, the game automatically puts the most suitable player in the most logical spot, even after you make substitutions. So you can set it up once a season and you rarely have to look at it again! 

Just follow the set piece creator and make your own set pieces. You can tweak this later. Your Set Piece Coach, a new staff role, will work on your set pieces. Take a look at the familiarity to see how it's going and work on it in training. Use your analytics to see how effective each specific set piece is in matches. Is one doing well and another not so much? You can adjust the percentage of times a set piece will be executed in matches. It's advisable to use a very successful set piece more regularly but this could also mean opponents learn what you'll do so it won't be as effective. It's best to use multiple situations and make sure familiarity is okay on all of them. You can also use the analytics to check what opponents do with free kicks.

Important note: check the strong foot of your best takers. If, for example, all your decent takers are right-footed you should take that into account when selecting inswinging or outswinging deliveries. Take this into account when hiring your Set Piece Coach; we will have, besides a rating for set pieces, a preference when it comes to deliveries.

FM24 update
Signing and selling players got a big overhaul in this version of the game. You'll find that you'll get more competition when trying to sign a player. Check the update FM23, below.

FM23 update
Agents are more important from this version on. You can ask them if your players are interested in signing with you. If important to do this. Agents can give you useful information regarding the interest of the player, the expected wage and the transfer sum the seller club demands.

FM21 update
See relevant notes at lecture 18, scouting assignments.