There are many important members of staff in FM23 that can have a big impact on the success or failure of your team. However, arguably the most important is your Assistant Manager.
They are the member of staff who you can give major responsibilities, such as training and media work. If, like me, you don’t usually enjoy media work and tend to delegate a lot of other aspects of the game for time’s sake, then it is vital to get a good Assistant Manager.
Your assistant manager must have strong stats in the following areas:
- Judging Player Ability
- Judging Player Potential
- Motivating
- People management
- Tactical knowledge
If you can find an assistant manager with strong stats when it comes to these attributes, then it will increase the likelihood of your team becoming successful. However, sometimes they are hard to find.
Here are some backroom staff that we recommend using as Assistant Managers and that we would recommend employing to make your life easier:
Edd Vahid (Unemployed, two-star reputation)
Vahid’s two-star reputation rating is rather misleading, as his stats are high. He actually starts the game as an unemployed Head of Youth Development. However, he has just the right characteristics to do a great job as an assistant manager. In truth, he does an excellent job in either role.
Key Stats
- Motivating 18
- People Management 16
- Judging Player Ability 17
- Judging Player Potential 17
- Tactical Knowledge 11
Vahid’s only weakness as assistant manager is tactical awareness. However, if, like most, you manage your own tactics, this shouldn’t be a major drawback.
Neil Bath (Chelsea, 3.5 stars)
Like Vahid, Bath starts the game as a Head of Youth Development. However, if you can persuade him to leave Chelsea, he is a great all-rounder. His excellent stats make Bath a brilliant choice of assistant manager, especially as he is media savvy.
Key stats
- Motivating 18
- People Management 17
- Judging Player Ability 17
- Judging Player Potential 19
- Tactical Knowledge 18
As you can see from his strong stats, Bath is the sort of must-have backroom staff member. The only drawback is trying to prize him away from Chelsea, which can be tricky unless you are an elite club.
If you do manage to convince him to join you won’t regret it and you may be so enthused by the results that you get some custom pins made from Pin Badges Co.
Lars Ricken (Dortmund, 3 stars)
Once again, Ricken is another who starts the game as a Head of Youth Development but can be converted into a brilliant Assistant Manager. Like many who fulfil the Head of Youth Development role, his stats are excellent and are almost perfect for the role.
Key Stats
- Motivating 15
- People Management 20
- Judging Player Ability 17
- Judging Player Potential 18
- Tactical Knowledge 10
His stats are generally strong, even if he doesn’t have the greatest tactical knowledge. Your biggest problem may be getting him to leave Dortmund to join.
Philipp Laux (Dortmund, 2 stars)
Laux starts the game as a coach at Dortmund with a two-star reputation. However, his ability somewhat belies that reputation, as his stats are highly compatible with the Assistant Manager role.
Key Stats
- Motivating 20
- People Management 19
- Judging Player Ability 16
- Judging Player Potential 16
- Tactical Knowledge 17
Laux has virtually no weaknesses when it comes to stats. He is someone who can fulfil most backroom roles due to his excellent all-around stats.
Zsolt Low (Unemployed, 3.5 stars)
The Hungarian has a good reputation with a 3.5-star rating and is unemployed at the start of the game. Although his stats are not as good as some on this list, he may be more likely to join your club if you are not managing an elite-level club than some of his colleagues on this list.
Key stats
- Motivating 14
- People Management 14
- Judging Player Ability 14
- Judging Player Potential 15
- Tactical Knowledge 13
Hermann Gerland (Unemployed, 3-star)
The vastly experienced German starts the game unemployed with a 3-star rating as a Head of Youth Development. However, his stats are through the roof and go well with the Assistant Manager role.
Key stats
- Motivating 17
- People Management 16
- Judging Player Ability 16
- Judging Player Potential 19
- Tactical Knowledge 10
His stats are excellent, apart from his Tactical Knowledge. That should not put you off appointing Gerland.
Paolo Morganti (Juventus, 2.5 stars)
Morganti is yet another Head of Youth Development that could be utilised as an Assistant Manager. However, in reality, like other staff members on this list, his stats are well-suited to the role of your right-hand man.
Key Stats
- Motivating 20
- People Management 20
- Judging Player Ability 20
- Judging Player Potential 20
- Tactical Knowledge 6
As you can see from his stats, Morganti could do the majority of backroom jobs. His main weakness is tactical knowledge. However, his other attributes negate that weakness.
Tough to find Assistant Managers
From playing the game and researching this article, we realised that finding good Assistant Managers can be challenging. As you see from our list, many of your best options are actually in other backroom jobs, so keep an open mind when looking for a top Assistant Manager.
Who is your favourite Assistant Manager on FM23?
