7 Essential Tips Every Football Manager 2024 Player Should Know

Discover 7 Football Manager 2024 tips that will help you improve tactics, avoid injuries, and boost team morale from day one.

Master FM24 with these practical tips to improve your save, avoid injuries, and build a winning squad. Perfect for beginners and returning veterans.

Let’s rewind to the first time you opened Football Manager. You probably stared blankly at 50 tabs, a training calendar that looked like quantum physics, and a squad with six injured players before pre-season even ended.

Yep—been there.

Whether you’re a newbie or someone returning after a break, FM24 can feel like a tactical black hole. But with the right approach, it becomes pure footballing joy. Here are seven tips to help you turn chaos into control and actually enjoy the madness.

1. Injuries? Nah, Not in My Squad

So you’ve just landed your dream job at, say, Leeds United. You’ve brought in that exciting Brazilian winger... only for him to tear a hamstring in your second friendly.

FM24 punishes negligence—especially with injuries.

Head over to your Medical Centre. It’s not just there for decoration. Check injury susceptibility daily. If a player is "High" or "Very High", rest them. You can adjust training intensity or give them 1–2 days off under Training > Rest. Prevention is everything.

Also, build your medical team like it’s part of your first XI. Prioritise top-tier physios and sports scientists. A strong backroom staff equals fewer hospital beds.

Pro Tip: In pre-season, monitor sharpness vs fatigue like a hawk. Sharp players are useful. Tired ones get hurt.

2. Stop Overcomplicating Tactics

Let’s say you’re trying to recreate Guardiola’s tiki-taka. So you load up on instructions: play out of defence, shorter passing, higher tempo, lower tempo, narrower width... mate, your team’s confused.

Simple wins.

Stick to a core idea: are you counter-attacking, possession-heavy, or pressing like lunatics? Pick instructions that support that.

Your tactic should work like a clear plan, not a 17-tab spreadsheet. Roles and duties should make sense. If your striker is on "False Nine" duty and no one is running beyond him, you’re in trouble.

Try starting with a preset (Gegenpress, Tiki-Taka, etc.) and then tweak based on what you see in matches.

3. Delegate Like a Boss

You’re not a one-man army (unless you want to be).

FM24 lets you delegate almost everything—from training and friendlies to media and staff hiring. Go to Staff > Responsibilities and get your assistant or DoF involved.

Hate press conferences? Hand them off.
Not sure how to run training? Let the coaches handle it.
Want to focus only on matches? Do it.

Customise your save to fit your style. The more fun you’re having, the more successful your career.

4. Morale Isn’t Cosmetic—It’s Crucial

Low morale is the silent killer in FM24.

Your team may look perfect on paper, but if morale is in the gutter, they’ll play like they’re hungover. Go to Dynamics regularly. Look at team cohesion, leadership, and happiness.

If it dips:

• Call a team meeting after poor results.
  
• Use private chats to praise top performances.
  
• Don’t ignore unhappy players—it spreads fast.
  

Morale isn’t just a mood bar. It’s the invisible fuel behind every win.

5. Master Scouting = Find Wonderkids First

Want players like Endrick before Real Madrid grabs him? Then scouting needs to be your obsession.

In Scouting > Recruitment Focus > Create Recruitment Focus:

• Age: under 21
  
• Potential: high
  
• Region: South America, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia
  

Set up a proper scouting network, not just one scout aimlessly wandering through Europe.

Use analyst reports too. Look for high xG, progressive passes, or aerial duel wins—whatever fits your system.

Add scouted players to your shortlist and set reminders for contract expiry or transfer windows.

6. Training Isn’t Just for Nerds

Most new players ignore Training—until they realise their players are stagnating.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Use pre-made training schedules that match your tactic.
  
• Train attributes by position (e.g., composure for strikers, stamina for box-to-box mids).
  
• Don’t forget mentoring groups—they shape personality, which boosts development.
  

Training is where players grow. Ignore it, and your stars flatline.

Check player progress monthly. Are they improving or regressing?

7. Have a Laugh – Seriously

Yes, FM can be brutal. You’ll lose 1–0 to a team with 0.15 xG. You’ll get sacked after five draws. You’ll break a keyboard.

But here’s the deal: that’s the game.

FM24 is about stories. Ups and downs. That 17-year-old academy lad scoring in the cup. That last-minute equaliser with ten men. That fourth-tier team you led to Europe.

So enjoy it. Don’t chase perfection. Chase moments.

Final Whistle

FM24 can overwhelm—but it also rewards those who take the time to learn. Start small. Learn what matters to you as a manager. Tweak, adapt, and improve.

Now, go start your save—and let me know in the comments which tip you needed most.

P.S. Looking for more guidance? Check out our Wonderkid shortlist or tactical recreations to build your dream squad.