Take on a challenge in FM20 of managing a less known next-door neighbour to a more successful club from one of these three major European leagues.
Some European cities live and breathe football through their clubs. Some cities are best known for a sole flagship club, which draws the passion of a large part of the population, while others are famous for being split by inter-city derbies. But most of these cities have a second, or a third club, which haven’t enjoyed the success and have lived in the shadow of their more rich and famous neighbours.
In this FM20 challenge we will explore 3 of these clubs and we will challenge you to take over and make them match the success of their local rivals.
1. TSV 1860 Munich (German 3. Liga)
Being just next door to the most successful German club is really a tough pill to swallow. But for a long time, TSV 1860 and Bayern were on a somewhat equal footing, and they won the Bundesliga before their local rivals in 1966 (Bayern would win it only in 1969), and even got to an European final first, in 1964-1965 European Cup Winners Cup (Bayern won the same competition in 1966-1967).
But it all went downhill for TSV, while Bayern was becoming the best German club ever. At the start of 2019-2020 season, 1860 finds itself in the third German League, where they finished 12th last season. It will take you at least a couple of years to get back in the Bundesliga, where the real struggle will begin. Be patient, work smart, and under your guidance TSV 1860 can become Munich’s top club once again.
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2. Rayo Vallecano (Spanish Segunda Division)
Living in the shadow of the most successful club in European football would be hard enough on its own, but when there’s a second more successful club in your city, then you really are unlucky. Based in Madrid, in the mostly working-class neighbourhood of Vallecas, Rayo has only played 18 seasons in the Spanish first division, but they maintain a strong and loyal following based on the fact that it is the only club left in Spain that officially represents its neighbourhood (barrio).
They have always been the typical yo-yo club, and last season saw them relegated once more from La Liga. This means that you, as manager of Rayo, should have a fairly easy mission in getting back in La Liga, but then the real work begins. You won’t have to beat just Real and Atletico, but also the likes of Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia and other more reputable clubs, to claim Rayo’s first ever trophy.
3. Torino FC (Italian Serie A)
Turin seems to be all about Juventus nowadays. They have the money, the results, and Cristiano Ronaldo. But it was not always like that, with Il Toro being the best Italian team in the 1940s, until it lost most of its great team to the Superga Air Disaster in 1949.
Since then, Torino has only won 1 title (1976) and 3 Italian Cups (1968, 1971 and 1993), while Juventus kept on pilling up trophies, including two European Cups.
While Torino might not be the best choice to end Juve’s dominance in Serie A, they managed steady mid-table positions in the last 6 years, so that’s a good base to build upon. I promise you, breaking Juve’s streak will be so much sweeter by doing it with their local rivals. It’s time to make Torino grande again.
