Football Manager has remained one of the most popular sports simulation games since its initial release.
With the newest iteration (FM24), more people are getting involved in the game that allows you to choose a club and take it to the top.
With Football Manager, however, the game is about more than just being skilled at controlling the players during a game to win matches – you need to do everything but that.
Before we look at some of the best teams to control in FM24, let’s check out some of the history of the game.
The Roots of Football Manager
The first version of the game was marketed as Championship Manager and was released in 1992.
Published by Eidos Interactive and developed by Sports Interactive, the game was a success, sparking multiple releases in consecutive years,
It wasn’t until 2004 that the game began to change.
Following the disastrous release of the game, Eidos and Sports Interactive went their separate ways, with Eidos retaining the naming rights of the game and Sports Interactive retaining the game data and engine.
What this meant for the game is that Sports Interactive was able to create a powerfully similar game, but they needed a new publisher – and out came Sega to help.
Football Manager 2005 was the first game to be released in this partnership, and it became the fifth fastest-selling PC game of all time.
Since then, Football Manager has released a new game every year, and FM24 came out in November 2023 for PC, Mobile, and all modern consoles.
By February 2024, the game had 7 million players in the fist 100 days, making it the most played edition in history.
The Best Teams to Manage In Football Manager
Whether you are new to the franchise or have just picked up the latest in the series, the first decision you are going to need to make is which team you are going to play with.
For some, it is as easy as picking the team you support, whether that is a local Vanarama club or one already in the top flight.
However, there are a couple of fun club options that you might not have thought about which might make getting to the pinnacle of club success either more challenging or more satisfying – and these are below.
Liverpool FC
There are many Liverpool fans around the world, and it is no surprise considering the success they have had throughout the decades.
This year, Liverpool started the season in a strong position with one of the best-loved managers in the world, so if you wanted to make a save that might be considered one of the easiest ways to win the league, this might be a good choice.
With four trophies available to them (and as we know, Klopp is leaving at the end of the season), there is everything to play for with a team that has the second-highest transfer budget in the Premier League.
Wrexham FC
Speaking of international club support, Wrexham FC has been catapulted to legendary status thanks to the ownership from both Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Rob McElhenney.
While the fame and considerable fortune of the new owners has boosted the club coffers as well as the surrounding area, there is no denying that the team itself has grown and developed – making them an interesting team to watch.
Managing the team means getting to strategize with a club that has big financial backing and huge financial support, not to mention a strong squad famed for their gung-ho approach to every game.
Loughgall FC
This is a team with an interesting claim to fame – the village of Loughgall in Northern Ireland has a population of just 283, making it the smallest settlement in the whole of the UK to have a football team in the top flight.
Promoted back to the Northern Ireland Sports Direct Premiership for the first time in 2007, there is a lot to be said about doing a lot with a little and doing it with style.
LA Galaxy
Let’s go a bit international here and check out one of the most famous names from the American MLS.
Whilst some of us might sniff at US ‘soccer’ and claim it is where good European footballers go to retire, there is a lot to be said about the excitement of the game and the way that it is played – and LA Galaxy have been champions five times.
However, despite the familiar faces on the team, you will have a challenge on your hands if you want to get them back to those winning ways, as they haven’t won since 2015.
