Benfica is a great place to shop in FM24

By

-

January 6, 2024

When it comes to signing players and producing stars, certain clubs always seem to develop or sign quality young players who become top stars. One of those clubs is Portuguese giants Benfica.

Here are some of the Eagles’ players who usually turn out to be top signings on FM24:

Anatolii Trubin (Goalkeeper)

The Ukrainian youngster has been one of my favourite goalkeepers to use in recent FM’s. At just 21, he is already a very capable goalkeeper and will only improve with his potential ability in the elite bracket.

There is only one issue now that he is at Benfica, rather than his former club, Shakhtar Donetsk, in that he will be far more expensive and difficult to sign now he is plying his trade at Benfica.

He cost Benfica just £8.5m, plus further add-ons, which is an absolute steal for one of the football’s best up-and-coming goalkeepers. You will have to stump far more than that at the start of the game, with a price tag likely of between £40-£50m.

Antonio Silva (Centre-back)

Silva is another one of those players that I seem to sign in all of my FM saves. At the beginning of the game, the centre-back is just 19 years of age. However, Silva is considered one of the best up-and-coming players in his position.

Silva is a ball-playing centre-back who, after a few years, generally becomes a world-class player in my saves. He seems to have every attribute to be an elite player, and his stats will only improve with maturity.

Due to his ability and reputation, Silva never comes cheap, as he generally costs around £50-60m. If you are managing a club with the resources to bring him in, then he could be a great player for a long time to come.

Morato (Centre-back/defensive midfielder)

The Brazilian is a centre-back I usually sign when in the mid-period between making the Champions League spots and challenging for the title.

The 22-year-old is not quite as good as Silva or has the same ceiling. However, he can be a highly steady player at the heart of your defence until you can bring in world-class players.

In some earlier versions of FM, Morato became an elite player. For some reason, he doesn’t seem to be quite as highly regarded in FM24. However, he is still a good addition, though, especially as he can be signed for £30m or less in most seasons.

Joao Veloso (Central midfielder/attacking midfielder)

The versatile Veloso actually starts FM24 in the Benfica B team, as he is just 18 years of age. Veloso’s stats are decent at the start of the game, but they may not suggest he will be a world star.

However, I am in the year 2030 on my current personal save, and he is my star midfielder in a team that has won three Premier League titles in four seasons while winning back-to-back Champions League.

In my team, he generally operates as a playmaker or a mezzala in a central midfield role. His most significant contribution tends to be producing assists, including 25 in his best season for my Everton team.

Unfortunately, I didn’t sign Veloso until he was thriving in the Benfica team. It cost me £ 50m to sign him. It was money well spent. However, if you sign him at the beginning of the game, he can cost you less than £5m.

If you are a big team, sign him at the start of the game and loan him out to a club at a decent level, as he is unlikely to be immediately ready for the Premier League team or a similar level in the first season.

Joao Neves (Central midfielder)

The central midfielder is one of the jewels in the Benfica crown, as he is already being touted for stardom at just 18 years of age.

His starting stats are off the charts for a player of his stage of development. In my saves, he usually plays as a defensive midfielder. However, he can also play as a central midfielder or even a central attacking midfielder.

He has the quality and potential to play any of those roles perfectly and quickly becomes a key player in most teams by his early 20s.

Neves is not a player you sign if you are lacking funds, though, as he can cost £60m+. If you are an elite team and need a central midfielder, then sign Neves, and within a few years, he will be amongst the best players in his position.

Tiago Gouveia (Winger)

This a strange one, as Gouveia is a player I haven’t seen anybody mention when discussing bargains.

The 22-year-old can play on both flanks and seems adept at producing assists and goals for your team. His starting stats are solid, and he will continue to improve with more experience.

He never seems to quite get to the elite level, but he is a good player for most mid-lower-half teams in the Premier League.

On my latest save, I signed him initially on a season-long deal, then signed him for him permanently for a bargain £4m. He went on to play for me in the Premier League and the Champions League for the next two seasons before I sold him for a significant profit.

Honourable mentions

Orkun Kokcu
Florentino Luis
David Neres

Andrea Schjelderup (On loan at Nordsjaelland at the start of the game, so I left him out of my main list)

Are there any Benfica players that you always sign on FM? Let us know via our socials

How Implementing FM 24 Tactic Could Lead Macarthur to A-League Glory

By

David Nugent

-

January 5, 2024

0

Since joining the A-League in the 2020/21 season, Macarthur have made just one play-off appearance in the top flight of Australian soccer.

The Bulls advanced to the play-off semi-finals where they were eliminated by eventual winners Melbourne City, sparking talk they could build on that achievement.

However, they finished seventh and 12th over the next two seasons to dash those hopes. Mile Sterjovski’s side have improved this term, and are on course to secure a top six finish.

Their roller-coaster journey in the A-League makes them an ideal project for Football Manager 24 tacticians who pride themselves in achieving the unthinkable with underdogs.

In the virtual realm of the popular video game, orchestrating a tactical masterpiece that propels the club to the A-League summit is no easy task.

However, we have come up with a plan which we believe would not only deliver success in the game, but also in the ‘real world’.

The 3-4-3 formation

The 3-4-3 is a formation that uses three central defenders, a double pivot in central midfield, two wing-backs to provide attacking width and a front line of three that can set up in different ways.

However, for this tactic, we will be using two wide forwards playing behind a central striker.

Out of Possession

The front line of three is responsible for creating and finishing chances.

When employing a front three with two wider forwards, there is a heightened focus on executing counter-attacks and crafting 1v1 scenarios pitting the wide attackers against the opposing full-backs.

The wing-backs play a dual role, which demands high levels of agility and fitness.

They not only contribute to the team’s attacking width, frequently advancing in an attacking line of five but also backtrack to defend in a formation of five.

The double-pivot assumes a pivotal role in building play from the defence, establishing a connection between the back three, wing-backs and front three.

They’re also important in switching play between the wing-backs and delivering penetrative passes into the final third.

When counter-attacking, the central-midfield pair often seeks to locate a wide forward making a run in behind.

The centre-back trio are entrusted with building play from the defensive line, driving into midfield and dispatching passes to the attackers.

The wider centre-backs may also make forward runs on the inside of the wing-backs, offering an alternative for crosses from a more central position.

With two players in central midfield, the wider centre-backs frequently find space to dribble forward, becoming key contributors to accessing the front three.

Out of Possession

Out of possession, the team transitions from a 3-4-3 formation to either a 5-2-3 or a 5-4-1 set-up.

In this defensive structure, the two wing-backs drop back to form a defensive line of five, taking on the responsibility of thwarting crosses when the opposition advances the ball wide.

During high-pressing situations, the wing-backs push forward aggressively, occasionally even pressing the opposition full-backs deep into their half.

The three centre-backs occupy central areas, with the wider centre-backs tracking runs made behind the wing-back on their respective side.

When the defensive line is higher up the field, the wider centre-backs may trail an attacker who drops into the midfield.

The double-pivot aims to minimise spaces between the defensive lines, which becomes particularly crucial when the wing-backs are caught out of position, requiring them to make recovery runs.

Key Notes

The 3-4-3 formation strikes a balance between attack and defence, with five outfield players engaging in attacks, while the other five focus on defensive duties.

A key aspect of this formation involves wide forwards combining with wing-backs to create overloads on the flanks, forcing opposing full-backs into deep defensive positions.

The wing-backs join the attack to create a wide front line of five, effectively stretching the opponent’s defensive line and creating additional space in central areas.

The double pivot and back three create a robust defensive foundation against counter-attacks through the centre of the pitch.

In a structured defensive block, the back line of five and two midfielders offers substantial defensive security, particularly in central zones.

However, opposition counter-attacks can target wide areas, as the back line of three covers less space across the pitch than a back four.

It is worth noting that the central midfield duo may face overload during defensive transitions. Despite this, implementing the tactic could improve Macarthur’s title-winning prospects.

The tactic potentially offers food for thought for Sterjovski, who may well be frustrated that his team are overlooked as title contenders despite the improvements they have made.

That point is highlighted to perfection on online sportsbooks, who rate Macarthur as 15.00 shots to claim the A-League title. If Sterjoski used these tactics, those odds could soon disappear.

Bettors more accustomed to using bonus bet promotions to wager on horse racing would likely be eager to avail themselves of the double-figure price on offer, with this tactic striking a balance that rival teams would struggle to match.

FM24 Tactics for Macarthur

Positions

Goalkeeper (GK)

• Sweeper keeper (At)

Defenders

• Right wing-back (RWB): Complete wing-back (Su)
• Centre backs (CB): LCB – Wide centre-back (Su), CB – Ball playing defender (De), RCB – Ball playing defender (De).
• Left wing-back (LWB): Complete wing-back (Su)

Midfielders

• Defensive midfield (DM): Deep lying playmaker (Su)
• Central midfield (CM): Segundo Volante (At)

Wingers

• Right-wing (RW): Inverted forward (Su)
• Left-wing (LW): Inverted winger (Su)

Striker

• Striker (ST): Deep lying forward (At)

Team Instructions

Mentality

• Balanced

In Possession

• Attacking width – narrow
• Shorter passing
• Pass into space
• Low crosses
• Be more disciplined
• Focus play down the flanks
• Slightly higher tempo

In Transition

• Roll it out
• Distribute to centre-backs
• Distribute quickly
• Counter
• Counter press

Out of Possession

• Lower line of engagement
• Mid-block
• Much more often
• Prevent short GK distribution
• Get stuck in

Best attacking coaches on FM24

By

David Nugent

-

January 1, 2024

0

pepijn lijnders — RN7, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most vital aspects of the Football Manager games, just like real football, is scoring goals. You score more than your opponent and win games and trophies; it’s that simple.

One way of ensuring you get the best out of your attacking players is by hiring coaches with high attacking stats.

The stats we believe are the most important for an attacking coach are obviously attacking and technical. We will also include mental, as this can play a role in any player’s development.

Here are some of our favourite attacking coaches on FM24:

Rodolfo Borrell (Austin, four-star reputation)

The 52-year-old Spaniard begins the game at Austin in the USA as a Director of Football/Chief Scout. He has only just joined the club, so it may be difficult to acquire when you first start the game.

However, Borrell’s CV speaks for itself, as he has worked at Liverpool as a Head of Youth Development, as well as working as a coach at Manchester City before eventually becoming an Assistant Manager with the Citizens.

Most of his stats are top-notch, but the fact that the attacking and technical areas of his game are strong suggests he will be the perfect coach to develop your forward players.

Attacking 17
Technical 18
Mental 14

Pepijn Lijnders (Liverpool, three-and-a-half-star reputation)

The Dutchman is currently the assistant manager of Liverpool, so it may be hard to bring in at the start of the game.

However, when it comes to stats, there are few better all-around coaches on the game than the 40-year-old. However, the fact that his stats in attacking, technical and mental are so high makes him ideal to coach your attacking players.

In truth, he could utilised in many areas of coaching, as he is such a versatile coach. If you are in a position to recruit Lijnders, then don’t hesitate.

Attacking 17
Technical 16
Mental 15

Maurizio Trombetta (Juventus, three and a half stars)

The Juventus man is a less-rounded coach than some of his colleagues on this list when it comes to stats. However, his coaching strengths are very much geared to the attacking side of the game.

He has decent stats elsewhere, but if you were deploying him, then it would be as an attacking coach.

Attacking 20
Technical 18
Mental 14

Nuno Gomes (Free agent, three and a half stars)

The former Portugal striker is the perfect coach for your attacking players, with good stats in the right areas and some strong attributes elsewhere.

Unlike some of the coaches on our list, Gomes is relatively easy to recruit, as he starts the game as a free agent, with his last job in football being listed as a Head of Youth Development at Benfica from 2015 to 2017.

Attacking 19
Technical 17
Mental 16

Quintilliano Francisco Lemos Filho (Betim Futebol, half a star reputation)

The Brazilian is something of a hidden gem when it comes to coaches, as he is currently coaching in the lower leagues of the game in his homeland.

Although he is currently a fitness coach at Betim Futebol, he has previously done various jobs at the likes of America Mineiro and Cruzeiro. His half-a-star reputation belies very solid stats.

His attacking and technical stats make him the ideal coach to help improve your forward players.

Attacking 15
Technical 17
Mental 13

Gianni Vio (Free agent, two and a half stars)

The experienced Vio starts the game as an unemployed Set Piece Coach. However, his extensive CV includes working at Milan, Brentford, and Tottenham, as well as with the Italian national team.

Similar to Trombetta, Vio doesn’t have majorly good stats in every area of coaching like some on our list. However, his stats are well-tailored to coaching your team’s attacking players.

Lars Knudsen (Free agent, two stars)

The Danish coach starts the game as a free agent, as his last spell in the game was at Leicester City in the 2022/23 season as a Set Piece Coach. This means that he is relatively easy to recruit at the beginning of the game.

His two-star reputation is slightly harsh, as his stats suggest that he has pretty solid all-around coaching ability. He is not an elite coach, but at 45, he still has time to develop his attributes.

Knudsen’s skills are definitely best suited to coaching attacking players, as that is where his strengths lie stats-wise.

Attacking 15
Technical 15
Mental 10

Do you have any favourite coaches when it comes to coaching your attacking players? Let us know here or via our socials.

The best defensive coaches in FM24

By

David Nugent

-

December 27, 2023

0

daniele bernazzani inter milan — Daniele Bernazzani - Steindy (talk) 20:53, 29 November 2009 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When you delegate tasks in Football Manager, you need to know that you can trust your coaches to help develop and nurture your top talent. Alongside the assistant manager, coaches play a vital role in this development.

In the next few weeks, we will be looking at the best coaches in different areas of the game. This week, we will look at some of the defensive coaches we would recommend you employ to get the best out of your players.

The key stats for defensive coaches are defending, tactical and technical. The latter is not essential in a defensive coach but is always a bonus.

Giuseppe Baresi (Inter, 3 star)

The former Inter player starts the game as a scout for the Nerazzurri. However, in the past, he has held the positions of coach, assistant manager, head of youth development and under-20s manager.

He may be versatile, but his stats are perfect for a defensive coach. In fact, most of his coaching stats are high so that he could occupy any position on your backroom staff.

The only problem you may have is convincing Baresi to leave the club, as except for one year as a Modena player, he has virtually spent his whole footballing life at Inter.

Defending 19
Tactical 18
Technical 14

Miguel D’Agostino (Chelsea, two and a half stars)

The Argentinian is assistant manager at Chelsea, as many of his coaching stats are high. He has previously worked alongside compatriot Mauricio Pochettino as a coach at Espanyol, Southampton and Tottenham.

D’Agostino earned a promotion to assistant manager at PSG, though. Your best chance of employing the Blues assistant manager is if Pochettino is sacked and D’Agostino becomes a free agent.

With solid stats in many areas, he is somebody who will add a lot to your coaching set-up.

Defending 18
Tactical 16
Technical 10

Daniele Baldini (Italy, 3 stars)

The current Italy coach is another member of staff who could be ideal for any of the roles in your backroom set-up. However, the fact that Baldini has high stats in the Defending and Tactical areas of the game makes him an ideal defensive coach.

His mental stats are also superb, with high stats in Determination, Level of Discipline and Motivating. His three-star reputation on my save is arguably slightly harsh on the former Roma, Napoli and Inter coach.

Defending 18
Tactical 16
Technical 13

Daniele Bernazzani (Inter, 3 and half stars)

Yet another Italian on our list is Inter scout Daniele Bernazzani, who could be the closest thing to perfect that you are going to find when it comes to coaches.

Although he currently works as a scout for the Nerazzurri, his talent is criminally underused talent spotting, as most of his coaching stats are impressive.

He has occupied various different roles at Inter, including being the club’s 18 and under-20 managers, as well as coach. Like with Baresi, he could well be hard to prise away from his current employer due to his loyalty to the men from Milan.

Defending 17
Tactical 17
Technical 15

Frank de Boer (Al Jazira (UAE), three stars)

De Boer is, of course, a famous name from his playing days when he represented the Netherlands with such distinction at international level, as well as plying his trade at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

However, having retired from playing, the former Barcelona defender has turned his hands to coaching and management. His latest position is as manager of UAE outfit Al-Jazira.

He may start the game as a manager, but such is the precarious nature of the job; usually, early in the game, he will become a free agent.

If you can persuade De Boer to become a member of your staff, he will likely become a vital coach in your set-up, as most of his attributes are solid.

With him being a former defender, he would make an ideal defensive coach.

Defending 17
Tactical 15
Technical 15

Craig Fleming (Derby County, half a star)

Now, for me, his half-a-star reputation is criminal, as the 51-year-old Derby under-18 coach has some really strong coaching attributes which belie his reputation.

Not only does he have decent stats when it comes to defensive coaching, but he also has good Mental and Motivating stats, which can play a crucial role in coaching.

The fact that he has only just joined Derby may make it difficult to acquire Fleming at first. However, he could become more interested in a coaching role a few seasons into the game.

Defending 16
Tactical 16
Technical 11

Who are your favourite defensive coaches on FM24?

Tactic testing: Ultimate 433 by ZimsMula

By

David Nugent

-

December 21, 2023

0

The latest tactic I have tested is ‘Ultimate 433’ by ZimsMula. I have seen ZimsMula’s tactics on various sites, but I am not sure I have used any of them for tactic testing or my personal save before now.

The latest tactic ended that uncertainly, and the tactic produced solid results.

How did the tactic set up?

As always, with the tactic testing, I used Everton as our test team. As the title suggests, the tactic is set up in a 433 formation with an attacking mentality.

The tactical set-up started with a sweeper keeper on defend. In front of the goalkeeper were two ball-playing defenders on defend duty, flanked by two wing-backs on support duty.

Onto midfield, and an anchor on defend protected the defence, with mezzala’s in front on support duty. The attacking threat was provided from the flanks by two inside forwards on attack and an advanced forward figure heading the team’s attacking efforts.

Personnel-wise, the tactic suited the available resources at Everton and brought the best out of certain players.

How did the tactic perform?

Our team was predicted to finish 13^th at the beginning of the season. However, it finished seventh place, which earned Europa Conference League qualification. However, the team finished just four points adrift of the Champions League berths.

This tactic produced really good attacking numbers, as only Manchester City could better our team’s goal tally of 82 during the season.

As is usually the case with tactics that produce a lot of goals, the defensive record wasn’t great, as we conceded 47 goals. It was still the eighth-best record in the league, so it wasn’t woeful either.

It was interesting to note that the team had the fourth-best away record in the league while only having the seventh-best at home. This suggests to me purely on numbers that this tactic is a better away tactic than a home one.

What stood out in the end-of-season numbers was the fact that the team finished the season strongly, winning their last five league games while scoring 12 goals and conceding just once.

The team didn’t have much joy in the cup competitions, as they exited the FA Cup with a 2-1 fifth-round defeat against arch-rivals Liverpool. A second-round exit against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup was also underwhelming.

Who were the best-performing players?

It was the usual suspects that performed well in this tactic. Here are the best-performing players for season rating, goals and assists:

Highest average season rating

There were two players tied for the highest average season rating using this tactic, star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and winger Arnaut Danjuma, who both produced healthy 7.22 ratings over the season.

Full-back Seamus Coleman wasn’t a regular starter but still earned himself a respectable 7.11 rating. Meanwhile, on the other defensive flank, Ukrainian full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko was the only other player to get a score over 7, as he scored a 7.06 over the season.

Highest goalscorers

Judging by the goals scored, there was always going to be players who excelled in this tactic. The top goalscorer for the season was Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored 32 goals in 44 appearances. He finished as the Premier League Golden Boot winner, eight goals ahead of Manchester City’s scoring machine, Erling Haaland.

Danjuma was also prolific from his inside forward position, grabbing himself 20 goals in his 42 appearances. On the other wing, Jack Harrison scored 13 times in 40 matches.

Centre-back James Tarkowski and central midfielder James Garner also scored four goals over the campaign.

Highest assists makers

The player with the highest number of assists was inside forward Jack Harrison, who produced 11 assists. James Garner was also highly productive from midfield, creating ten goals.

Full-backs Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko were also effective at creating goals, producing nine and eight assists, respectively.

Danjuma added seven assists to his 20 goals for the season, making him a vital player for the team.

What is my conclusion?

The seventh-place finish is a highly respectable result from this test. However, I tested this tactic out because I used it on one of my personal saves, where I somehow finished as runners-up in the Premier League in the first season after making a few signings.

From personal experience, this tactic can have a team majorly overachieving, which the test may not accurately reflect. It is currently my go-to tactic on my personal saves.

It offers entertainment but also reasonably solid defensive displays. I actually won the Premier League title in my second season using this tactic. However, that was after I had strengthened my defence with the signing of defensive wonderkid Ousmane Diomande.

Overall, this is a tactic I highly recommend if you want your team to overperform, and it has brought me success.

Have you ever used ‘Ultimate 433’ by ZimsMula? If you have, let us know your thoughts on the tactic

The best six assistant managers in FM24

By

David Nugent

-

December 14, 2023

0

If you are like me and you sometimes delegate tasks in FM24 to your staff, then those staff need to be up to the task. One key member of your backroom staff is your assistant manager. He is a figure who can make life a lot less overwhelming.

So, the importance of having an excellent right-hand man cannot be over-emphasised enough. Your assistant manager has to have good stats in the following:

Judging Player Ability: This is vital as he will be the main member of staff giving you feedback on your players.
Judging Player Potential: This one is big, too, as they give you advice on your players’ potential via your squad planner screen.
People Management: If you use your AM to arrange training like I do a lot in my game for convenience, this is a vital stat.
Tactical Knowledge: If you allow your assistant manager to take control of friendly games (which I never do), they must be tactically astute.
Motivation: If you leave the team talks to your AM, then a good start in this particular facet could mean the difference between success and failure.

Here are six of my favourite assistant managers on FM24:

Philipp Laux (Dortmund)

Laux is actually a coach at the start of the game at Dortmund. However, he can be persuaded to move clubs if you are the right club. His attributes are almost ideally suited to the assistant manager role.

Not only does he have high stats in the facets of the job, but the former goalkeeper also has 20 in his mental stats, which is always a positive sign for any member of your backroom staff.

The only stat that is maybe slightly low is his people management. However, nobody is perfect, and his other stats are so impressive that they negate his weakness in that area.

Judging Player Ability: 16
Judging Player Potential: 16
People Management: 19
Tactical Knowledge: 13
Motivation: 20

Nelson Vivas (Atletico Madrid)

The experienced Argentinian has been Diego Simeone’s right-man at Atletico Madrid since 2018, helping his compatriot to keep Los Colchoneros punching above their weight in La Liga at times.

His three-and-a-half-star reputation shows his status within the game. He has solid stats for an assistant manager and would undoubtedly be an excellent addition to most backroom teams.

There is a caveat in the fact that the former Arsenal defender can be hard to prize away from Atletico.

Judging Player Ability: 15
Judging Player Potential: 14
People Management: 18
Tactical Knowledge: 13
Motivation: 13

Vitor Bruno (Porto)

At just 40, Vitor Bruno looks to be a rising star in the coaching world. He begins the game at that hotbed of coaching Porto. His stats are solid, and his two-and-a-half-star reputation belies his stats and ability to do the job.

Bruno certainly has the potential to improve his weaker areas, such as his tactical knowledge. He has been assistant manager at Porto since 2017 but is willing to move on if the right offer comes along.

Judging Player Ability: 15
Judging Player Potential: 14
People Management: 17
Tactical Knowledge: 10
Motivation: 16

Daniel Barreira (Portugal Under 19’s)

Another from the seemingly flourishing Portuguese school of coaching, the 42-year-old is currently a coach with the Selecao’s Under-19s. However, he has the stats and potential to make a fine assistant manager.

Like his compatriot, Bruno, he has just a two-and-a-half-star rating. In coaching terms, he is still young and has the ability to improve. The promotion to AM is unlikely to be a step too far for the former Barcelona scout.

Judging Player Ability: 17
Judging Player Potential: 13
People Management: 17
Tactical Knowledge: 14
Motivation: 15

Marco Ianni (Lazio)

Similar to Barreira, he starts the game as a coach, having joined Lazio in 2021. However, he has the stats and the potential to be an excellent assistant manager, as all the attributes the role requires are abundant.

The fact that Ianni has worked for the likes of Napoli, Chelsea and Juventus before his appointment at Lazio tells you all you need to know about his coaching credentials.

Judging Player Ability: 16
Judging Player Potential: 15
People Management: 17
Tactical Knowledge: 15
Motivation: 14

Bruce Arena (unemployed)

The veteran American starts the game unemployed. He has vast managerial experience, and maybe the assistant manager role is a step down for him from being the main man.

However, I have seen Arena take the role of assistant manager at certain clubs, although I suspect it may have to be the right offer for him to take the position.

As you would expect from a man who has spent decades in football, his stats are strong in all the right places.

Judging Player Ability: 16
Judging Player Potential: 14
People Management: 18
Tactical Knowledge: 16
Motivation: 12

Who are your favourite assistant managers on FM24?

Our top ten Football Manager games ranked

By

David Nugent

-

December 8, 2023

0

fm24 progress never stops out 6th november

Football Manager is a game we all love, which is likely why you’re here reading this article. Many of our readers are diehard fans of the game and, like myself, will probably have played every single edition released.

Football Manager Edition	When was it released (EU)
Football Manager 2005	4^th November 2004
Football Manager 2006	21^st October 2005
Football Manager 2007	18^th October 2006
Football Manager 2008	18^th October 2007
Football Manager 2009	14^th November 2008
Football Manager 2010	30^th October 2009
Football Manager 2011	5^th November 2010
Football Manager 2012	21^st October 2011
Football Manager 2013	2^nd November 2012
Football Manager 2014	30^th October 2013
Football Manager 2015	7^th November 2014
Football Manager 2016	13^th November 2015
Football Manager 2017	4^th November 2016
Football Manager 2018	10^th November 2017
Football Manager 2019	2^nd November 2018
Football Manager 2020	18^th November 2019
Football Manager 2021	24^th November 2020
Football Manager 2022	8^th November 2021
Football Manager 2023	8^th November 2022
Football Manager 2024	6^th November 2023

Life is about opinions, and here is mine on my top ten favourite games in the FM series:

10. Football Manager 2009

The 2009 version of the game saw a new 3D match engine introduced to the series, which is something that was welcome and only enhanced the gameplay, as it made the game more visually appealing.

One feature that was maybe ahead of its time in Football Manager was the ability for your avatar to be a male or female.

This edition also saw the introduction of press conferences.

An Arsenal brand version of the game was also released.

9. Football Manager 2013

The 2013 edition saw design changes to the game, which made it run faster and obviously increased the enjoyment of playing the game.

The redesign also included a classic mode for those who wanted to play FM but didn’t have the time to play the full version with all the bells and whistles.

FM13 also saw the introduction of pre-set challenges, where you could test your managerial acumen over a short period of time, more often than not half a season.

This wasn’t a mode I particularly utilised, but it was a feature that many found entertaining and useful if they were bored of the original gameplay format.

According to the pre-release info, there were 900 new features in this version. Like myself, the gaming reviewers generally liked this version of the game. The critic from Metacritic gave the game an 86/100, which was a record for a football game at the time.

8. Football Manager 2018

While Football Manager 2018 may not have been ground-breaking, it did introduce dynamics. This feature was game-changing, as dynamics gave us players an insight into what was going on in their player’s heads.

This obviously helped us understand our teams better. The hierarchy system meant that you could see who were the most influential players within your squad.

Suddenly, you knew why players were angry with you or underperforming and which players had the power within the dressing room to help or hinder your chances of success. This has been a very useful tool for me, for sure.

7. Football Manager 2019

FM19 saw a change in the tactical system, so we got a better understanding of how our team was set up. The game introduced three phases, in possession, in transition and out of possession.

These changed the way players set up tactics, as these three phases became vital to the success or failure of your team, as they gave you greater control of your tactical set-up.

One new feature for this edition was the introduction of VAR, which, like in real life, was greeted with mixed emotions. Unfortunately, for me, far too many goals are ruled out by VAR on FM. Despite the introduction of this divisive new feature, FM19 is still among my top ten FM games.

6. Football Manager 2008

Football Manager 2008 is where SI attempted and succeeded in making the game more user-friendly, as they tweaked the UI (user interface). The changes made for a more enjoyable game all around.

This edition of the series introduced a new advisor system, which almost acted like an assistant manager, giving the player hints and tips. The game also saw a new finance system, which was more in-depth.

The game went platinum in the UK after selling over 300,000 copies. Its score on Metacritic of 86/100 was the joint-highest of any football game, a score that FM13 matched, of course.

5. Football Manager 2005

This was an iconic FM game, as it was the first that was released after the split from original publisher Eidos, therefore the first under the new name ‘Football Manager’.

The game just built on the undoubted success of the final Championship Manager and took the game a step further.

With reportedly more control for Sports Interactive, the game took a slightly different path from the Champ Man series. The game involved improved transfers, game engine and even mind games etc.

However, with the essence of the old editions still present, the game was a big hit among fans and critics.

Football Manager’s first edition was.

4. Football Manager 2010

The game saw a polish of the diamond, with tweaks in the game as a whole. The most noticeable changes were to assistant managers and the overview screen, which made the game less daunting to new or casual FM players.

Improvements were also made to the 3D animations, with adverse weather conditions becoming more apparent. One new feature that not many may have used was an improved database editor, where you could add new leagues to your game, a handy feature for some players.

The game was not revolutionary for many, but it was certainly a decent update from FM09.

3. Football Manager 2007

This edition of the series was a much fresher version of Football Manager, which was created with a new user interface. The game also raised the bar when it came to analysis and entertainment.

The analysis system gives managers far more data to judge their team and individual players. In some ways, the game was a step forward in the series.

2. Football Manager 2014

FM14 was a game-changer when it came to the tactical side of the game. It meant that it was very difficult to produce ‘Plug and Play’ tactics. You had to tweak and adapt your team to pick up results.

This proved a challenge for many players while being frustrating for some other players who were less tactically aware. This edition was regarded as more realistic.

The game also introduced a new updated transfer system, with a more realistic market akin to real life.

The interaction between you as a manager and other players, managers and the board were also improved.

It is reported that FM14 sold over one million copies, which is not unusual for FM but still illustrates the success of the game.

1. Football Manager 2012

For me, FM12 was my favourite game in the series. The transfer market was improved significantly, as was the tutorial system, the team talks, various roles and other tasks that can be delegated.

The improved scouting system was one of the most significant upgrades, helping managers view potential signings and opposition teams better.

What was your favourite Football Manager game?

Top five Brazilian wonderkids in FM24

By

David Nugent

-

December 1, 2023

0

There are very few feelings better than nurturing a wonderkid from an inexperienced youngster to a world star when playing FM. Wonderkids can come from all corners of the globe, of course. However, certain countries are production factories of talented young players.

One of those countries is Brazil, which constantly produces talented young footballers. Here are some of our favourite Brazilian wonderkids for the latest version of FM:

Endrick (Palmeiras, will join Real Madrid in July 2024)

Many experienced FM players will know all about the forward. The 17-year-old is the worst-kept secret of football in recent years. The versatile forward has the potential to be a top, top player, and many are already raving about the youngster’s ability. He is so talented that he recently won his first Brazilian cap as a substitute in his country’s 2-1 defeat by Colombia in World Cup qualifying.

Unfortunately for FM players, he has already agreed a deal to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in July 2024. Whether that makes him easier or harder to sign is debatable, such is the power and talent available to Los Blancos.

If you can sign him, then his starting attributes are decent, and he quickly develops into a highly impressive world star.

Estevao (Palmeiras)

He is another top Palmeiras prospect who is quickly earning himself a reputation as a future star in the club’s youth ranks. At just 16, the young attacking midfielder has the nickname ‘Messinho’ because his playing style is similar to that of the great Lionel Messi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqwitDT1Q2Y

The versatile attacking midfielder/forward can play anywhere in attack and starts the game with solid attributes for a player who is at such a tender age. He has 13 finishing, flair, and passing, which is impressive for such a young player.

If you sign the youngster at the beginning of the game, he could be a bargain. However, it’s important to note that if you are playing in leagues such as England, he will not be able to join your club until 2025. If you can sign him early and loan him out, he could prove an absolute steal.

Vitor Roque (Atletico PR, joining Barcelona in the summer of 2024)

Like Endrick, Vitor Roque is a wonderkid well known to any recent players of FM. Although he starts the game at Atletico PR in his homeland, a move to Catalan giants Barcelona has already been arranged for the summer of 2024.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifx9UwIkxw0

The diminutive Roque has already made his international debut for the Selecao and is arguably slightly ahead of Endrick when it comes to development. At 18, Vitor Roque has scored a respectable 33 goals in 93 appearances for Cruzeiro and Atletico PR.

When it comes to young forwards, there are few that can match him for attributes and potential. In previous FM games, he has gone on to become a world star in most saves. Signing him may now be far more difficult and expensive now he has agreed to join Barcelona.

Savio (Girona on loan from Troyes)

The 19-year-old winger has not received the same hype as some players on our list. However, he is a player who has impressed greatly at Girona this season on loan from French outfit Troyes. He has scored four goals in 12 appearances for the Catalan club, who have been the surprise package in the Spanish top-flight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF9f9GuuPgA

Unfortunately, due to being on loan at Girona, you can’t sign Savio in the first summer. However, the versatile forward will likely be available for a reasonable fee in the summer of 2024. His starting stats are excellent and will only get better as he matures as a player.

Savio has yet to play for the full national team, unlike some of his compatriots on this list. He has played for the Selecao at youth level, and if he continues his recent form, he will soon be in the full national team set-up.

Luis Guilherme (Palmeiras)

Yes, yet another product of the Palmeiras youth system, Guilherme is another highly-rated young attacking player who looks destined to be a world star in real life and on FM. At 17, Guilherme is already in the Palmeiras first-team squad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MgXHA7OfTc

A relatively high price tag highlights Guilherme’s potential, but he can be bought for less than £15m plus future incentives at the start of the game. His stats at the beginning of the game are impressive. For the relatively modest fee, you will get a highly versatile young winger who will only grow and improve.

Who is your favourite Brazilian wonderkid on FM24? Let us know via our socials

FM24 Wonderkids: The beauty of Bardghji

By

David Nugent

-

November 29, 2023

0

In other works of life, obsessing about a teenager could well see you in hot water. However, in FM, there seems to be a growing love for a certain Swedish wonderkid named Roony Bardghji.

The Copenhagen youngster is a familiar name to FM players, as he has been in the game as a wonderkid for the last few editions.

At just 18 (17 at the start of the game), he is regarded by many as one of the best wonderkids of FM24. Quite frankly, his potential is through the roof on the game. However, who is Roony Bardghji?

The short story of Roony Bardghji

The winger was born in Kuwait to a Syrian family, but at the age of 12, he and his family moved to Sweden. Bardghji’s talent for the beautiful game didn’t take long to shine through, and he played youth football in his adopted homeland at Kallinge SK, Rodeby AIF and Malmo FF.

However, his big move came in 2020 when he joined Danish giants FC Copenhagen. Bardghji made history when he became Copenhagen’s youngest-ever player in a Superliga encounter with AGF at the age of 16 years and six days. It didn’t take him long to score his first goal for Copenhagen either, as seven days later, he found the net against AaB.

Bardghji’s talents were not just confined to the Danish SuperLiga, though, as in 2022, he made his Champions League debut as a substitute in a 3-0 defeat by Sevilla. Having signed a new deal with Copenhagen early in January 2023, Bardghji made his mark in European football’s elite competition when he scored the winning goal in a 4-3 Champions League win over Premier League Manchester United.

Incredibly, at the age of just 17, Bardghji has already made 57 appearances for his club team, scoring a respectable 15 goals. He has also featured for Sweden’s u-17s and U-21s, scoring two goals in seven appearances for the latter.

Why is he so popular on FM?

The youngster has already illustrated his real-life potential on the biggest club stage, which is a factor in his popularity in Football Manager. His high ceiling is the most significant factor in why so many FM players flock to sign the winger.

Bardghji can potentially become one of the best players in the game. However, unlike many young players, he can be a part of a decent-level first-team squad in the first few seasons of the game. For instance, on my personal save, I signed Bardghji in my second season as Everton’s boss after we finished second place in the table. He rejected the chance to sign in the first transfer window as he doubted the quality of our squad. How dare he question my managerial acumen!

Anyway, I signed him for £10m plus future add-ons. In truth, it was a steal, and that is another massive factor why players sign him. For his price and already impressive attributes, you cannot get more bang for your buck, as it were.

One of the best things about the winger is that his stats improve very quickly; as he plays more football, his attributes grow immensely. Before you know it, you have a four-star player on your hands. In my save, he is four-and-half stars at 19 years of age. In his first season at the club, he scored 23 goals and was simply outstanding. The next 20-odd goals and nearly the same number of assists.

Quite simply, even in a team that wasn’t world-class, he shone and outperformed many of his much older and more developed teammates, which will be of little surprise to anybody who has played FM24 or even FM23, for that matter.

Is Roony Bardghji the real deal?

roony bardghji warms up before a game for FC København — Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout the years, as FM fans, we have seen so many players look like world beaters in the game, and then, in real life, they do not really fulfil their potential. We all remember the likes of Kerlon, Cherno Samba and arguably the most famous FM wonderkid, Freddy Adu, who was touted for stardom at the age of just 13.

Despite the failures, some FM wonderkids have gone on to achieve stardom in real life. All the signs from Bardghji’s short real-life career so far suggest that the youngster could well fulfil his potential and become a star at the elite level of the game.

He seems to have all the attributes to become a real star of the beautiful game. For now, though, FM players are grateful that we can still sign the young winger at a reasonable price before he earns a big move and is out of our reach forever.

Let us know your experiences of using Roony Bardghji on FM24 via our socials

Tactic testing: GYR I am Groot FM24

By

David Nugent

-

November 25, 2023

0

We are back with our latest tactic test, and this time, we tested out GYR- I AM GROOT FM24. GYR has produced some excellent tactics in recent years. This was another solid effort.

If anybody has read my tactic-testing articles, they will know that I tested it with Everton. I promise I will move away from the Toffees in future articles. I use Everton because I know the strengths and weaknesses of the players so that I can make my best judgement on a tactic.

How was the tactic set up?

The tactic is set up in a straightforward 4-4-2 on attacking mentality, a formation you don’t see very often in recent games, as 4-2-3-1 has become the favoured system on FM and arguably in real life.

The tactic starts with a goalkeeper on sweeper keeper with an attacking duty, which suits Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal. The defence is made up of a flat-back four, with two wing-backs on support duty, flanking ball-playing defenders on defend duty.

The midfield is made up of two wingers on attack duty, while in the centre of midfield is a central midfielder on support and a ball-winning midfielder also on support duty.

The front two are made up of an advanced forward on attack duty and a pressing forward on support.

Once again, as with every good tactic, players built up excellent relationships all over the pitch. The full-backs and wingers built a good relationship, as did the centre-backs and two forwards. The only players who have not built an understanding are the two central midfielders, but that may be because there was a rotation of four players occupying the two positions. If the players have good relationships, it can only be highly positive.

How did the tactic perform?

The team was given a predicted finish of 13^th place, which means the expectations are low with the players available. The team finished in sixth place, claiming a Europa League spot, just a point behind fifth place. However, it was 11 points adrift of the teams who claimed Champions League spots.

This tactic produced a very even result in the table, with the team scoring 79 goals and conceding 60, with a positive goal difference of 19. The team had the fourth-best attacking record while having the eighth-best defensive record in the league.

The fact that the defensive record could be better is not a significant surprise, as many tactics using two central forwards, especially with an attacking mentality, often leave the team vulnerable in defence. There weren’t really any other standout stats. It was just a steady tactic all around.

The team struggled for results in the domestic cup competitions. They exited the FA Cup in the Fourth-Round stage against West Ham while suffering a Third-Round exit in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal.

Who were the best-performing players using this tactic?

As with most tactics, some players thrive and some struggle. Here are the players who thrived using this tactic:

Highest average season rating

As is often the case for Everton, forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin produced the highest average season rating of 7.46. Winger Arnaut Danjuma came pretty close to matching DCL’s record, with an average rating of 7.35.

Beto also usually has a high average season rating, and he picked up a highly respectable 7.18 rating. Central midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure also managed a rating of 7.13.

Who were the top goalscorers?

Unsurprisingly, Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished as the team’s top goalscorer with 23 goals in 34 appearances. Calvert-Lewin’s strike partner Beto also found the net 18 times in 32 appearances.

Once again, unsurprisingly, the wingers were also relatively prolific, with Dwight McNeil and Arnaut Danjuma scoring 12 and eight goals, respectively. Central midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure also scored their fair share of goals, having found the net six and five times, respectively.

Who recorded the most assists?

The most creative players in the team were the wingers. Arnaut Danjuma produced 15 assists. On the other side of the pitch, fellow loanee Jack Harrison created 11 goals for his teammates.

McNeil also had nine assists, with Calvert-Lewin also making a respectable eight goals. Abdoulaye Doucoure and full-back Ashley Young picked up five assists apiece.

What is my conclusion on the tactic?

For me, this is not the best tactic that GYR has ever produced, well, at least in my tactic testing. It may well be very different for other players using other teams.

My main conclusion about this tactic is that it is a good, solid set-up that would work with most teams’ mid-to-top level in the Premier League. The formation suited the limited squad depth at Everton, as it took advantage of the talented attacking players in the squad.

I may use the tactic again in the future, as I have always had a soft spot for tactics with two central strikers.

Have you used GYR I am Groot FM24? Let us know what you think about it via our socials

Anatolii Trubin (Goalkeeper)

Antonio Silva (Centre-back)

Morato (Centre-back/defensive midfielder)

Joao Veloso (Central midfielder/attacking midfielder)

Joao Neves (Central midfielder)

Tiago Gouveia (Winger)

Honourable mentions

The 3-4-3 formation

Out of Possession

Out of Possession

Key Notes

FM24 Tactics for Macarthur

Positions

Goalkeeper (GK)

Defenders

Midfielders

Wingers

Striker

Team Instructions

Mentality

In Possession

In Transition

Out of Possession

Rodolfo Borrell (Austin, four-star reputation)

Pepijn Lijnders (Liverpool, three-and-a-half-star reputation)

Maurizio Trombetta (Juventus, three and a half stars)

Nuno Gomes (Free agent, three and a half stars)

Quintilliano Francisco Lemos Filho (Betim Futebol, half a star reputation)

Gianni Vio (Free agent, two and a half stars)

Lars Knudsen (Free agent, two stars)

Giuseppe Baresi (Inter, 3 star)

Miguel D’Agostino (Chelsea, two and a half stars)

Daniele Baldini (Italy, 3 stars)

Daniele Bernazzani (Inter, 3 and half stars)

Frank de Boer (Al Jazira (UAE), three stars)

Craig Fleming (Derby County, half a star)

How did the tactic set up?

How did the tactic perform?

Who were the best-performing players?

Highest average season rating

Highest goalscorers

Highest assists makers

What is my conclusion?

Philipp Laux (Dortmund)

Nelson Vivas (Atletico Madrid)

Vitor Bruno (Porto)

Daniel Barreira (Portugal Under 19’s)

Marco Ianni (Lazio)

Bruce Arena (unemployed)

10. Football Manager 2009

9. Football Manager 2013

8. Football Manager 2018

7. Football Manager 2019

6. Football Manager 2008

5. Football Manager 2005

4. Football Manager 2010

3. Football Manager 2007

2. Football Manager 2014

1. Football Manager 2012

Endrick (Palmeiras, will join Real Madrid in July 2024)

Estevao (Palmeiras)

Vitor Roque (Atletico PR, joining Barcelona in the summer of 2024)

Savio (Girona on loan from Troyes)

Luis Guilherme (Palmeiras)

The short story of Roony Bardghji

Why is he so popular on FM?

Is Roony Bardghji the real deal?

How was the tactic set up?

How did the tactic perform?

Who were the best-performing players using this tactic?

Highest average season rating

Who were the top goalscorers?

Who recorded the most assists?

What is my conclusion on the tactic?

Latest Posts