When it comes to signing coaches, a lot of FM players go for the first name they see, almost completely disregarding the quite evident effect coaches can have on team performance.
When you think of Football Manager, you think of signings, of unearthing young gems and stealing cut-price deals for top-class players. Most of us spend months upon in-game months identifying the right targets, and then we spend even longer following their progress until the opportune moment to make a bid arises.Strange then that, when it comes to signing coaches, a lot of FM players go for the first name they see, almost completely disregarding the quite evident effect coaches can have on team performance.
One of the best signings I have made on this years game is Nicky Butt. It sounds rather bizarre I know, in fact I wasn't even aware he'd gone into coaching but, low and behold, as I scoured the Premier League's top clubs for potential recruits, there he was.
He's a damn fine coach, with marks of 15 for both Attacking and Defending attributes, 18 for Mental and Tactical, and 14 for Technical. His real strength, however, comes in Judging Player Ability which - a couple of seasons into the game - reaches the perfect 20.
This is absolutely ideal when it comes to deciding who you're going to use in your first team. Got a player in the U21's who you're not quite sure will make the grade? Ask Nicky Butt. Need a second opinion on whether or not your new signing is ready for top division action? Ask Nicky Butt.
In the grand scheme of things, it's completely possible to get by without a coach like Butt at your club. However, we all know that winning or losing in Football Manager can often come down to the tiniest detail and, with top notch coaches at your side, you're much more likely to come out on the winning side of the equation.
