The Best Teams To Start A Save With On Football Manager 26

New leagues and drastic changes to nan footballing scenery unfastened up countless possibilities erstwhile it comes to deciding your adjacent prevention connected Football Manager 26.

Whether you want to group yourself a gruelling challenge, reimagine history aliases simply return connected a nice, relaxing job, FM26 has thing for everyone, and we astatine Sports Illustrated person 50 suggestions arsenic you see your adjacent managerial journey.

Valencia

Valencia were flying precocious conscionable a fewer years ago. / Football Manager 26

In 2018–19, Valencia hit Barcelona successful nan Copa del Rey last and vanished 4th successful La Liga. These days, however, they’re much willing successful avoiding relegation aft awesome financial issues and frustrations pinch nan ownership saw things spiral retired of control.

The ceiling for this nine is tremendous but Valencia are sorely lacking nan guidance needed to get there. A patient manus connected wages and a fewer smart buys could beryllium each it takes to build 1 of Spain’s caller forces backmost up.

Deportivo La Coruña

Deportivo are a favourite among FM players. / Football Manager 26

Long-time players of FM will beryllium good alert of nan communicative of Deportivo La Coruña. This squad mislaid successful nan semi-final of nan 2003–04 Champions League, having beaten reigning champions AC Milan complete 2 legs successful nan erstwhile round. 17 years later, they were surviving nan driblet to Spain’s 4th tier by conscionable 1 point.

Deportivo are now backmost successful nan 2nd section and are blessed pinch 1 of Spain’s astir intriguing prospects successful Yeremay Hernández, who tin beryllium developed into a prima aliases sold for large money, giving you a fistful of different ways to attack this save.

Málaga

Another regular connected these lists. / Football Manager 26

While Deportivo are among nan favourites to beryllium promoted backmost to La Liga, nan aforesaid cannot beryllium said for different long-time prevention suggestion. Málaga, Champions League quarter-finalists successful 2012–13, were only promoted from nan 3rd tier successful 2024–25 and are not presently reasoning astir a return to nan apical flight.

You won’t person a batch of money to walk and there’s nary superstar subordinate to waste here. This is an old-fashioned rebuild.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux person endured a reliable fewer years. / Football Manager 26

When we past saw Bordeaux successful nan FM series, they had precocious been relegated from Ligue 1 aft years of financial hardship. Unfortunately, things person taken an moreover worse move and nan nine were connected nan bring of extinction past year.

Bordeaux, Ligue 1 winners arsenic precocious arsenic 2009, are now each nan measurement down successful France’s 4th tier, contempt being blessed pinch nan sixth largest stadium successful nan country. This is simply a monolithic nine conscionable crying retired for stableness aft years of turmoil.

Schalke 04

Financial issues person plagued Schalke. / Football Manager 26

It’s a akin communicative successful Germany pinch Schalke, who vanished 2nd successful nan Bundesliga successful 2017–18 and 14th successful nan section beneath conscionable 7 years later.

This is 1 of nan biggest clubs successful nan state who, erstwhile again, person been plagued by financial problems which you’ll person to get nether power arsenic soon arsenic possible. Thankfully, a coagulated squad should springiness you capable clip to fig retired your scheme of attack.

Dynamo Dresden

Dynamo Dresden are backmost successful nan 2nd tier. / Football Manager 26

Joining Schalke successful Germany’s 2nd tier are Dynamo Dresden, who were conscionable promoted from nan 3rd section past season.

While Dynamo Dresden do not person overmuch modern occurrence to their name, they stay 1 of nan astir successful clubs successful German history. They were a ascendant unit of nan pre-Bundesliga era and are blessed pinch a immense stadium and a passionate fanbase, and are simply looking to found themselves successful nan modern day.

Parma

The worst appears to beryllium down Parma. / Football Manager 26

Bankruptcy deed Parma successful 2015 and nan once-proud giants of Italian shot were forcibly relegated to nan 4th tier of Italian football. Thankfully, they weren’t location agelong arsenic a record-breaking 3 promotions successful a statement brought them backmost to Serie A.

Struggling astir nan bottommost of nan convention is not wherever Parma should be. This nine helped nutrient legends for illustration Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon, Hernán Crespo and Lilian Thuram and besides aided Carlo Ancelotti’s travel to becoming an all-time awesome manager. The devices are each there.

Notts County

No nine tin lucifer nan history of Notts County. / Football Manager 26

Notts County are nan oldest nine successful nan history of football. This prevention writes itself.

These days, Notts County walk their days successful League Two, nan 4th tier connected nan English pyramid. They’ve ne'er knowledgeable life correct astatine nan apical but, arsenic 1 of nan reasons why this beautiful crippled exists today, surely they merit to get there.

Belenenses

Belenenses bring a rich | history. / Football Manager 26

Saves successful Portugal tin beryllium reliable because of nan sheer power of Sporting CP, Porto and Benfica. If you’re going to topple that trio, why not do truthful pinch nan first squad to ever hit those 3 to nan convention title?

Belenenses are nan fifth-most successful broadside successful Portugal’s history but almost ceased to beryllium conscionable a fewer years ago, erstwhile ineligible issues saw nan nine divided successful half. This broadside retained nan sanction and history but had to commencement again arsenic amateurs, climbing their measurement backmost from nan sixth tier up to nan second, earlier different relegation near them successful their existent location successful nan 3rd tier.

Transfer Restrictions

Athletic Club

Athletic’s transportation norm is nary secret. / Football Manager 26

There is nary transportation norm much celebrated than that imposed by Athletic Club, which restricts you to utilizing players calved successful nan section Basque region.

Athletic merit existent in installments for not only surviving pinch that rule, but thriving. They’re 1 of Spain’s astir celebrated clubs, but to clasp that stance, you’ll apt request to put heavy successful your academy to support producing high-level talents.

Bursaspor

Bursaspor request occurrence pinch only Turkish players. / Football Manager 26

Bursaspor made history pinch a Turkish title triumph successful 2009–10 arsenic they ended an era dominated by nan trio of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş. It was comparable to Leicester City’s Premier League title triumph six years later for nan sheer surprise.

Financial woes saw nan nine autumn isolated and they’re now playing successful Türkiye’s 3rd tier. Promotion backmost to nan apical formation is nan task astatine hand, but you person to do truthful without signing immoderate overseas players.

Altınordu

Youth improvement is nan situation for Altınordu. / Football Manager 26

Sticking pinch Türkiye, Altınordu are different squad successful nan 3rd squad demanding occurrence pinch a squad built solely from Turkish players.

It’s not hard-coded into nan game, but Altınordu run pinch a norm challenging managers to guarantee astatine slightest 34% of nan first squad is made up of academy graduates. Player improvement is everything present and it offers a different return connected this situation successful Türkiye.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara person relaxed their rules. / Football Manager 26

One of Mexico’s biggest and astir celebrated clubs, Guadalajara built their history connected a norm which meant they could only motion players who had declared for nan Mexican nationalist team. In caller years, however, they person softened their stance.

These days, managers tin motion immoderate players who are eligible to correspond Mexico, moreover if they person turned retired for different countries astatine younker level, helping them break into nan markets successful Spain and nan United States.

Sint-Truidense

Sint-Truidense run somewhat differently. / Football Manager 26

There isn’t a strict norm for Sint-Truidense but, pinch a spot of self-discipline, you tin travel their unsocial argumentation of trying to run arsenic nan span betwixt Japanese and European football.

While you’re technically free to motion whoever you want, forcing yourself to effort and unearth nan adjacent Japanese superstar adds an other furniture of intrigue to this save.

Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday are nan latest English broadside successful peril. / Football Manager 26

Sheffield Wednesday precocious fell into management and tragically look destined to tumble down nan English pyramid. Can you beryllium their saviour?

Bested only by Notts County erstwhile it comes to age, Wednesday were founding members of nan Premier League successful 1992 and were among nan division’s apical clubs astir that time. They are desperately successful request of saving.

Reading

Reading are successful free fall. / Football Manager 26

Financial problems saw Reading driblet down from nan Premier League to England’s 3rd tier successful conscionable 10 years, pinch a points conclusion yet sealing their fate.

Shocking delays pinch confirmation of nan club’s finances person seen Reading forced to run nether a transfer embargo and led to respective much points deductions. While nan harsh sanctions look to beryllium over, nan reality is Reading cannot connection you nan money needed to make a return to nan Premier League simple.

Sampdoria

Sampdoria were precocious saved from bankruptcy. / Football Manager 26

A takeover successful 2023 saved Sampdoria from going bankrupt, but it did small to extremity nan financial challenges facing nan once-famous Italian giants.

Having precocious avoided nan driblet to Italy’s 3rd tier by nan tegument of their teeth, 1992 European Cup finalists Sampdoria are fighting for immoderate benignant of stability, pinch nan eventual extremity of climbing their measurement backmost to Serie A.

Botafogo

Botafogo fans person been connected a chaotic ride. / Football Manager 26

Botafogo person been connected nan benignant of travel which fits correct into nan FM universe. Near-complete financial illness and relegation successful 2021 was followed by a takeover which seemed destined to benignant things out. Promotion and a daze title triumph suggested Botafogo were successful nan clear, but results person been each complete ever since.

The nine debts are tremendous and are apt to origin you existent problems arsenic you look to support up pinch nan remainder of Brazil’s heavyweight clubs.

Lyon

Lyon precocious survived disaster. / Football Manager 26

Under nan aforesaid ownership umbrella arsenic Botafogo, Lyon were forcibly relegated to Ligue 2 past play because of superior financial issues, but were yet saved by making immoderate important changes to those calling nan shots astatine nan club.

Lyon are a unsocial situation arsenic nan accommodation and nan squad are each excellent, but nan pathway towards achieving much occurrence is incredibly analyzable by constricted transportation resources and a apt request to rate successful connected your apical players and rebuild each summer.

Sochaux

Sochaux are successful request of a rebuild. / Football Manager 26

Two-time French champions and 2007 Coupe de France winners, Sochaux encountered their financial issues astir 2015 and aggregate changes of ownership person grounded to group things correct by this point. Enforced relegations person near them successful France’s 3rd division.

The accommodation are, thankfully, successful fantabulous information and you tin trust connected younker accumulation to springiness you nan boost needed to get yourself backmost to nan apical tier.

Vitesse

Things person gone downhill for Vitesse. / Football Manager 26

A points conclusion successful 2023–24 saw Vitesse, erstwhile a adjacent subordinate of Chelsea, relegated from nan Eredivisie, and things were truthful bad that they had to entreaty to support their licence earlier successful 2025 aft their financial woes astir ended their existence.

While their entreaty was successful, rules meant they were handed a -12 points conclusion to statesman nan existent campaign, making your situation pinch Vitesse abundantly clear.

Triestina

A superior points conclusion makes this a reliable test. / Football Manager 26

There’s a batch to unpack here, truthful enactment pinch us. Triestina, who play successful nan 3rd tier of Italian football, statesman nan play pinch -20 points aft continued financial failings complete nan past fewer years, and nan team’s early is incredibly unclear.

Recently acquired by House of Doge, nan business branch of nan Dogecoin Foundation, location are plans to bring cryptocurrency into nan club’s mundane life but nan contiguous attraction is connected overcoming that whopping sanction.

Yeni Malatyaspor

Perhaps nan toughest situation connected nan full game. / Football Manager 26

If you want nan single-hardest situation connected FM26, look nary further than Yeni Malatyaspor, who beryllium bottommost of nan Turkish 3rd section aft being handed an utterly devastating -45 points conclusion for their financial woes.

The existent communicative down this club’s struggles is 1 of calamity and controversy. The 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquakes devastated nan accommodation and took nan life of goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, and nan years that person followed person been mixed attempts to retrieve nether an ownership which has been openly accused of corruption.

Edinburgh City

Wages are nan problem for Edinburgh City. / Football Manager 26

Sitting astatine nan bottommost of nan Scottish 4th tier, Edinburgh City person a shortage of 15 points to dress up astatine nan commencement of nan season.

They’ve been battling against financial illness for a fewer seasons now and a impermanent winding-up order, which was quickly dismissed, unluckily handed retired a points conclusion which will make this play a existent battle.

Unique Challenges

UE Sant Andreu

Sant Andreu are successful Barcelona’s shadow. / Football Manager 26

A stone’s propulsion distant from nan giants of their city, Barcelona-based Sant Andreu are a organization nine drenched successful grassroots history and looking to make immoderate existent sound pursuing nan presence of caller millionaire proprietor Taito Suzuki.

You’ve sewage a batch of activity to do earlier you moreover deliberation of going toe-to-toe pinch Barcelona, pinch Sant Andreu bring an breathtaking task and 1 which could beryllium aided by your proximity to immoderate of nan greatness often produced successful Catalonia.

Inter Miami

Inter Miami do things differently. / Football Manager 26

If you want nan chance to negociate Lionel Messi, you’re apt going to request to return complaint of Inter Miami and study really to activity wrong Major League Soccer’s unsocial regulations.

Miami’s extremity is to boost their estimation arsenic overmuch arsenic possible, and you’ll beryllium backed successful pursuit of players who whitethorn beryllium seen arsenic intolerable to different clubs crossed nan league. How acold tin you return Messi and his aged friends earlier they telephone clip connected their careers?

Wrexham

Wrexham person built a world fanbase. / Football Manager 26

Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac person been playing their ain FM crippled pinch Wrexham complete nan years, taking complete a squad successful request of immoderate caller humor and injecting their unsocial power to climb arsenic precocious arsenic England’s 2nd tier.

Reaching nan Championship was 1 thing, but nan jump up to this section is tremendous and 1 which threatens to overwhelm a Wrexham broadside playing catch-up compared to galore of their ex-Premier League peers.

Vaduz

Vaduz look a unsocial challenge. / Football Manager 26

Based successful Liechtenstein but playing successful Switzerland’s apical flight, Vaduz are forced to run nether a unsocial restriction.

As they do not play successful nan convention of their location country, Vaduz cannot suffice for European title done their convention finish. Instead, they person to triumph nan Liechtenstein Cup to gain a way into nan Conference League. You’ll request to triumph that to get into nan Europa League and past assistance that trophy to get into nan Champions League. One loss, and you’ll person to commencement each complete again.

Midtjylland

Midtjylland do things a small differently. / Football Manager 26

A takeover from nan group down Brentford successful 2014 saw Midtjylland move into 1 of nan astir unsocial scouting setups successful nan world, and it’s your situation to proceed their difficult work.

With an fantabulous younker setup and links to a full big of countries crossed nan globe, Midtjylland thrive connected uncovering early wonderkids from obscure nations and turning them into stars. It’s each FM player’s dream.

Luton Town

Things person gone horribly incorrect for Luton. / Football Manager 26

Luton Town exceeded expectations to gain a spot successful nan 2023–24 Premier League. Few were amazed to spot them relegated immediately, but nan existent daze came erstwhile they succumbed to relegation to League One successful nan twelvemonth that followed.

It’s each gone horribly incorrect astatine Kenilworth Road, but nan devices are each location to get this squad backmost into nan apical formation for different go.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s transportation spending sounds for illustration fun. / Football Manager 26

Liverpool began nan 2025–26 run successful nan trap successful which galore FM players find themselves. A record-breaking transportation walk near them pinch a bunch of superstars and wonderkids who lacked cohesion and structure.

How will you fresh Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké, Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah into nan aforesaid side? Things tin very quickly go a juggling enactment which could spot subordinate happiness spiral retired of power if you’re not careful.

Liverpool Women

Liverpool Women person not enjoyed nan aforesaid occurrence arsenic their antheral counterparts. / Football Manager 26

While Liverpool are among nan world leaders successful nan men’s game, nan aforesaid cannot beryllium said of Liverpool Women, who won back-to-back Women’s Super League titles successful 2013 and 2014 but person had to conflict their measurement backmost up from nan 2nd tier successful caller years.

The Reds are now backmost successful nan apical formation but are good down rivals for illustration Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. Plenty of catching up to do.

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund person endured a reliable fewer years. / Football Manager 26

A hipster’s dream successful years gone by, Borussia Dortmund were expected to beryllium nan superior threats to Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance. Not only person they been eclipsed by Bayer Leverkusen, but Dortmund person really ended up going successful nan incorrect direction.

A drastic upturn successful shape spared their blushes successful a 2024–25 play which had Dortmund arsenic debased arsenic 11th successful nan standings by nan extremity of March. That’s obscurity adjacent bully capable for this team, truthful you cognize what you request to do.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg could beryllium an entertaining save. / Football Manager 26

The narration betwixt Strasbourg and Chelsea has been a root of vexation for immoderate fans of nan French side, but it opens up nan anticipation of a nosy prevention connected FM26.

Give your board arsenic overmuch transportation power arsenic imaginable and watch them prime up obscure youngsters for your side, challenging you to build a squad tin of ending Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance. Perhaps you could moreover effort and activity your measurement into information for nan Chelsea job.

Barcelona

Barcelona are getting their finances nether control. / Football Manager 26

Barcelona run successful their ain world sometimes. The reigning La Liga champions person built an fantabulous squad while juggling awesome financial issues, making it intolerable to foretell their adjacent move astatine immoderate fixed moment.

While trying to get their debts nether control, your occupation present is to not only build nan champion squad successful Spain, but create nan benignant of dynasty Barcelona fans request done countless trophies and nan beingness of nan champion players successful nan world.

TSV Munich

TSV Munich person immoderate celebrated rivals. / Football Manager 26

There are nary prizes for guessing your situation for a third-tier squad based successful Munich.

TSV person a fierce rivalry pinch Bayern but person not been capable to bask anyplace adjacent to nan aforesaid level of occurrence arsenic their celebrated neighbours, pinch financial issues among those to spot them tumble down nan divisions. Now successful nan 3rd tier, they agelong for a return to nan apical formation and nan chance to adhd to their 1966 convention title.

Braga

Braga’s hunt for a convention title continues. / Football Manager 26

Only 3 clubs person ever won Portugal’s apical formation since 2001. Sporting, Benfica and Porto stock ownership of nan title, preventing Braga from ever tasting gold.

As possibly nan champion squad successful nan state extracurricular of that Big Three, Braga person a existent conflict connected their hands to not only found themselves connected nan aforesaid level arsenic their successful rivals, but to break done and yet get their hands connected nan trophy.

PSG

PSG beryllium atop nan footballing world. / Football Manager 26

Why does each FM prevention person to beryllium a challenge? PSG are nan reigning European champions and boast nan slope equilibrium to make moreover your wildest dreams travel true. Go bask yourself.

Now you’re connected nan apical of nan footballing world, your situation is to support PSG location for arsenic agelong arsenic possible.

Red Star

Red Star run successful a celebrated protector successful Paris. / Football Manager 26

The existent situation successful nan metropolis of Paris comes pinch Ligue 2 broadside Red Star, nan 4th oldest shot nine successful France looking to make immoderate superior sound successful their hometown.

Built connected a organization section which encourages immoderate of nan liveliest instrumentality demonstrations you’re ever apt to see, Red Star are crying retired for personification to get them into nan apical formation and further boost their increasing reputation.

Manchester United

Man Utd request immoderate help. / Football Manager 26

Even nan astir casual of shot fans will beryllium good alert of nan utter chaos that has permeated done Manchester United successful caller years.

Financial challenges and an underperforming squad person some risked dismantling nan estimation of what is arguably nan biggest nine connected nan planet. Bringing silverware backmost to Old Trafford is simply a must.

Manchester City

The chance to negociate Erling Haaland. / Football Manager 26

On nan different broadside of nan Mancunian divide, Manchester City connection a unsocial blend of some a rebuild and a Champions League charge.

Spearheaded by nan superhuman Erling Haaland, City are looking to rejuvenate an ageing squad but person nan immense wealthiness needed to springiness you each imaginable advantage to style this squad nether your ain vision.

Chelsea Women

One superior extremity remains for Chelsea. / Football Manager 26

Chelsea Women are nan champion squad successful nan English strategy and connection a awesome preamble into women’s shot for caller fans, but there’s a earnestly reliable trial for anybody who takes this job.

Not only is retaining nan WSL crown a demand, but Chelsea proceed to dream of winning nan Champions League. Getting complete that last hurdle has truthful acold proven intolerable for a squad afloat of superstars.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton’s transportation strategy opens plentifulness of doors. / Football Manager 26

The Premier League is afloat of clubs spending large money connected proven superstars, pinch astir of those in-demand players seemingly coming from Brighton.

The Seagulls return a different attack to recruitment, relying connected information study to find untapped imaginable from obscure sources crossed nan globe and flipping those players into astonishing profits which tin past beryllium reinvested successful their pursuit of success.

London City Lionesses

London City are making immoderate superior noise. / Football Manager 26

Bankrolled by Michele Kang, London City Lionesses person gleefully thrown money astatine their quest to go a unit successful women’s football. Their squad is afloat of genuine superstars and it feels arsenic though they are connected nan cusp of thing special.

With wealthy, eager owners pushing for success, London City provides you pinch a awesome chance to disrupt nan elite and build a squad tin of steamrolling nan remainder of Europe.

Real Madrid Women

Real Madrid are trying to grow. / Football Manager 26

While nan El Clásico disagreement has fans debating which of Barcelona aliases Real Madrid is nan superior broadside successful men’s football, those conversations don’t hap successful women’s football. It’s Barcelona, and it’s not moreover close.

Building a squad tin of rivalling 1 of nan top units successful nan history of nan athletics is not going to beryllium easy, but that’s precisely why you should try.

New Leagues

Žalgiris Vilnius

Žalgiris Vilnius are nan celebrated unit successful Lithuanian football. / Football Manager 26

FM26 introduces Lithuanian shot arsenic a playable convention this twelvemonth and location is nary amended spot to commencement than Žalgiris.

The first Lithuanian squad to ever suffice for European competition, Žalgiris are a ascendant unit domestically but nan existent situation present is building up nan benignant of squad tin to amended connected their past Champions League outing.

Al Ain

Al Ain are now playable successful FM26. / Football Manager 26

The astir successful nine successful nan United Arab Emirates, Al Ain are nan cleanable preamble to this caller league.

AFC Champions League occurrence and a heavy tally successful nan Club World Cup are some realistic goals for this side, led by Moroccan superstar Soufiane Rahimi.

Al Ahly

Egyptian shot besides features for nan first time. / Football Manager 26

Egypt is nan last antheral convention to make its debut successful FM26, offering fans nan chance to play pinch arguably nan biggest nine successful Africa, Al Ahly.

Domestic occurrence is demanded but Al Ahly are besides expecting continental glory. You request to build a squad tin of delivering while besides looking to rate successful connected your apical talents to European giants to proceed reinvesting.

Portland Thorns

Portland Thorns could beryllium a nosy save. / Football Manager 26

The presence of nan National Women’s Soccer League opens up plentifulness of doors connected FM26.

There are a full big of nosy teams to take from here, but we’re going pinch Portland Thorns. Backed by record-breaking support arsenic they locomotion nan statement betwixt power and mediocrity, this squad is missing a definite je ne sais quoi to really make their people successful nan modern era.

Eintracht Frankfurt Women

A fallen elephantine of nan women’s game. / Football Manager 26

Only Lyon person ever won much Women’s Champions League titles than Eintracht Frankfurt’s four, but nan German outfit are presently successful nary information to adhd to those honours.

Frankfurt are a beardown broadside domestically and person each nan devices needed to build thing genuinely special, but nan attraction has to enactment connected beating Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg earlier you tin commencement to dream of continental glory again.

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