Explore the top 20 Directors of Football in FM24 – stats, profiles, tips and a full guide on how to use them, plus a bonus DoF Challenge to try.
Discover the top 20 Directors of Football you can hire in FM24, with tips,
ratings and hidden gems.
Why Your Next Signing Should Be a Director of Football
Let me tell you a quick story.
It was my third season with a struggling Championship side. I had the tactics. I had the players (kind of). What I didn’t have? A clue how to manage 100 emails a week about contracts, scouts, agents, trialists and that 15-year-old wonderkid from Brazil whose agent wanted £25k p/w before he even kicked a ball.
So, I brought in a Director of Football.
Suddenly, things clicked. Transfers got smoother. Backroom staff got stronger. Scouting became strategic. And my stress levels? Let’s just say the assistant manager wasn’t the only one sleeping better at night.
If you’re playing FM24 and not using a Director of Football (DoF), you’re missing out on one of the most underrated tools in the game.
But not all DoFs are created equal...
What Makes a Great Director of Football in FM24?
So, what should you look for when hiring a DoF? Whether you want someone to run the show or just assist with contracts, these are the key attributes to keep your eye on:
- Judging Player Ability (JPA): Critical if you want accurate player evaluations.
- Judging Player Potential (JPP): Helps your club avoid overpriced flops and unearth future stars.
- Negotiating: Lowers transfer fees, wages, and lets you bully agents just a little.
- Judging Staff Ability: Useful if your DoF is hiring scouts, coaches, or assistant managers.
- People Management: Keeps the dressing room drama-free when contract renewals roll around.
Personality & Reputation
Don’t ignore personality either – a Model Citizen or Driven DoF will shape your club culture and youth development. And a high reputation DoF can attract top players who normally wouldn’t even answer your calls.
Scouting Knowledge
Want to scout South America or Eastern Europe without 10 scouts flying around? Get a DoF with extensive knowledge in those regions. It’s a hidden gem of an attribute.
READ ALSO: How to Maximize Your Scouting Network in Football Manager
Arguably the most complete Director of Football in FM24.
With 19 Judging Ability and a staggering 20 Judging Potential, Freund is a machine for talent spotting. His Red Bull background shows – high standards, smart structures, and ruthless recruitment.
Best for: Elite clubs or rebuilding giants needing a transfer mastermind.
Pro tip: Pair him with a data analyst-heavy scouting team and watch him cook.
He’s the architect behind Napoli’s modern transformation and now running the
show at Juve.
With 19 JPA, 19 JPP and 17 Negotiating, Giuntoli blends talent ID with real-world deal-making genius.
Best for: Title contenders wanting someone who can sniff value and negotiate like a mob boss.
Personality: Resolute – you’ll never have drama.
The man behind Lille and Monaco’s golden generations.
18 JPA, 20 JPP, 18 Negotiating, and vast Brazilian scouting knowledge. Campos is a wizard when it comes to discovering gems before anyone else.
Best for: South American-focused saves or if you're managing in France/Portugal.
Warning: Tactical knowledge is mid – don’t expect him to judge managers.
Ex-Monaco, Leipzig and Spurs man – he's the go-to free agent.
All 18s and 19s in the right places, with 18 JPA/JPP, 19 Negotiating, 18 Staff Judgement.
Best for: Any ambitious club with budget.
Hire tip: Snap him up early, or a Premier League rival will.
The legend behind Liverpool’s Moneyball-era recruitment.
Everything is balanced – 17s across the board and a massive 19 in Negotiating.
Best for: Mid-table to top-tier clubs aiming to climb.
Fun fact: Bring him to Liverpool in a retro rebuild challenge. Fitting, no?
Sevilla’s genius (twice), now at Villa.
18 JPA, 19 JPP, 17 Negotiating. Add Perfectionist personality and it's clear why he builds dynasties.
Best for: Long-term project saves.
Bonus: Scouting knowledge across Spain and Italy makes him a dual-threat.
Yes, that Deco.
His 18/19 in player judgement, 17 Negotiating, and preference for Brazilian scouting make him ideal for unlocking South American wonderkids.
Best for: Clubs trying to build the next La Masia.
Note: Not the best tactical mind – but who needs that with raw talent?
Calm, sharp, and structured.
20 JPP, 15 JPA, 17 Negotiating, 18 People Management – he builds not just squads, but systems.
Best for: England national team revivals or EPL sides focusing on youth.
Bonus: He’s a Resilient personality – great under pressure.
The “Diamond Eye” returns.
Former Dortmund, Arsenal and Ajax man – 17 JPA/JPP, 15 Negotiating, and 18 Adaptability. Don’t be fooled by the hair – this guy sees through hype.
Best for: Bundesliga or scouting-based journeyman saves.
Tip: Perfect fit if you're running lean on scouts.
16 JPA, 18 JPP, 17 Staff Judgement, and a strong
Determined personality.
Berta’s all about structure, value and squeezing blood from a transfer fee stone.
Best for: Clubs that can’t outspend, but must outsmart.
Underrated scouting mastermind.
17 JPA, 16 JPP, 19 Adaptability and vast knowledge of Brazil, Portugal and Ukraine.
Best for: Eastern European saves or anyone wanting Shakhtar-like regen pipelines.
Warning: Negotiating skill isn’t elite – assign a backup if you're tight on fees.
Recently at Barça and Valencia.
15 JPA/PPA, but an outrageous 19 in Negotiating and Staff Judgement. Think of him as your backroom dealmaker.
Best for: Financially constrained clubs needing elite boardroom finesse.
Tip: Hire a strong scout to complement his weaker eye for talent.
Long-time Lazio operator.
16 JPA/JPP, 17 Negotiating, and Driven personality – Tare brings Balkan toughness and sharp player picks.
Best for: Serie A clubs or Eastern Europe-to-Europe career bridges.
Union’s mastermind behind smart, shrewd signings.
18 JPA, 16 JPP, 18 Negotiating – the man bleeds efficiency.
Best for: Underdog saves in top divisions.
Weakness: Low tactical knowledge, but that’s not his job.
Ex-PSG sporting chief.
16s and 17s in all key areas and deep knowledge of Brazil. Could be the final piece in your South American wonderkid jigsaw.
Best for: Brazil-heavy scouting saves or French clubs.
Extra: Prefers to work for Flamengo long-term, so act fast.
Emerging DoF with a Negotiating stat of 19 – mental!
Balanced stats elsewhere with 16 JPA/JPP.
Best for: Clubs with tight budgets but high ambitions.
Note: Only Average scouting knowledge though.
Ex-Man City coach, now in MLS.
18 JPP, 15 JPA, 16 Staff Judgement. Think of him as a developmental overseer more than a wheeler-dealer.
Best for: USA saves or Man City-style build-from-within projects.
Extra: Great staff management ability.
18 JPP, 16 JPA, 17 Negotiating, with extensive scouting knowledge.
Veteran profile, but still elite.
Best for: Portuguese league dynasties or clubs expanding into Brazil and Ukraine.
Solid but unflashy.
17 JPA, 15 JPP, 15 in all key skills – this guy won’t blow you away, but he won’t ruin your transfer windows either.
Best for: Smaller Serie A or mid-table clubs needing steady hands.
Klopp’s ex-assistant now running the show in Russia.
17 JPA, 18 JPP, 19 Tactical Knowledge. Buvač blends scouting and system insight beautifully.
Best for: Eastern European saves, especially where tactical alignment matters.
Let’s break it down. A Director of Football (DoF) in Football Manager is your right hand when it comes to transfers, contracts, and staff recruitment.
Here’s what they can (and should) do for you:
💡 Tip: You can assign tasks in the Responsibilities tab. Make them handle what you hate.
Want to spice up your next FM save? Try this:
Take control of a club... and don’t sign a single player yourself.
Yup. Zero transfer involvement.
Let your DoF do all the heavy lifting. You’re only responsible for tactics, line-ups, training, and getting the best out of what your Director brings in. Trust the process.
Here’s how to set it up:
🚨 Pro Mode: Add a Director of Football mid-save and give them full control. Watch how your save transforms (or crashes).
This challenge is brutal, unpredictable, and addictive.
The Director of Football isn’t just a flashy backroom staff member – he’s a game-changer if used correctly.
Whether you're trying to dominate Europe with PSG, rebuild a fallen giant, or take an underdog club to the top, the right DoF will save you time, money and stress.
So next time you're scrolling through the staff search tab, don't skip past the DoF section. Dive in, check those attributes, and hire someone who fits your philosophy.
Let them do the dirty work.
You focus on the glory.
Top 20 Directors of Football in FM24
1. Christoph Freund – FC Bayern
With 19 Judging Ability and a staggering 20 Judging Potential, Freund is a machine for talent spotting. His Red Bull background shows – high standards, smart structures, and ruthless recruitment.
Best for: Elite clubs or rebuilding giants needing a transfer mastermind.
Pro tip: Pair him with a data analyst-heavy scouting team and watch him cook.
2. Cristiano Giuntoli – Juventus
With 19 JPA, 19 JPP and 17 Negotiating, Giuntoli blends talent ID with real-world deal-making genius.
Best for: Title contenders wanting someone who can sniff value and negotiate like a mob boss.
Personality: Resolute – you’ll never have drama.
3. Luís Campos – PSG
18 JPA, 20 JPP, 18 Negotiating, and vast Brazilian scouting knowledge. Campos is a wizard when it comes to discovering gems before anyone else.
Best for: South American-focused saves or if you're managing in France/Portugal.
Warning: Tactical knowledge is mid – don’t expect him to judge managers.
4. Paul Mitchell – Free Agent
All 18s and 19s in the right places, with 18 JPA/JPP, 19 Negotiating, 18 Staff Judgement.
Best for: Any ambitious club with budget.
Hire tip: Snap him up early, or a Premier League rival will.
5. Michael Edwards – Free Agent
Everything is balanced – 17s across the board and a massive 19 in Negotiating.
Best for: Mid-table to top-tier clubs aiming to climb.
Fun fact: Bring him to Liverpool in a retro rebuild challenge. Fitting, no?
6. Monchi – Aston Villa
18 JPA, 19 JPP, 17 Negotiating. Add Perfectionist personality and it's clear why he builds dynasties.
Best for: Long-term project saves.
Bonus: Scouting knowledge across Spain and Italy makes him a dual-threat.
7. Deco – Barcelona
His 18/19 in player judgement, 17 Negotiating, and preference for Brazilian scouting make him ideal for unlocking South American wonderkids.
Best for: Clubs trying to build the next La Masia.
Note: Not the best tactical mind – but who needs that with raw talent?
8. Dan Ashworth – Newcastle
20 JPP, 15 JPA, 17 Negotiating, 18 People Management – he builds not just squads, but systems.
Best for: England national team revivals or EPL sides focusing on youth.
Bonus: He’s a Resilient personality – great under pressure.
9. Sven Mislintat – Free Agent
Former Dortmund, Arsenal and Ajax man – 17 JPA/JPP, 15 Negotiating, and 18 Adaptability. Don’t be fooled by the hair – this guy sees through hype.
Best for: Bundesliga or scouting-based journeyman saves.
Tip: Perfect fit if you're running lean on scouts.
10. Andrea Berta – Atlético Madrid
Berta’s all about structure, value and squeezing blood from a transfer fee stone.
Best for: Clubs that can’t outspend, but must outsmart.
11. José Boto – Osijek
17 JPA, 16 JPP, 19 Adaptability and vast knowledge of Brazil, Portugal and Ukraine.
Best for: Eastern European saves or anyone wanting Shakhtar-like regen pipelines.
Warning: Negotiating skill isn’t elite – assign a backup if you're tight on fees.
12. Mateu Alemany – Free Agent
15 JPA/PPA, but an outrageous 19 in Negotiating and Staff Judgement. Think of him as your backroom dealmaker.
Best for: Financially constrained clubs needing elite boardroom finesse.
Tip: Hire a strong scout to complement his weaker eye for talent.
13. Igli Tare – Free Agent
16 JPA/JPP, 17 Negotiating, and Driven personality – Tare brings Balkan toughness and sharp player picks.
Best for: Serie A clubs or Eastern Europe-to-Europe career bridges.
14. Oliver Ruhnert – Union Berlin
18 JPA, 16 JPP, 18 Negotiating – the man bleeds efficiency.
Best for: Underdog saves in top divisions.
Weakness: Low tactical knowledge, but that’s not his job.
15. Leonardo – Free Agent
16s and 17s in all key areas and deep knowledge of Brazil. Could be the final piece in your South American wonderkid jigsaw.
Best for: Brazil-heavy scouting saves or French clubs.
Extra: Prefers to work for Flamengo long-term, so act fast.
16. Rui Pedro Braz – Benfica
Balanced stats elsewhere with 16 JPA/JPP.
Best for: Clubs with tight budgets but high ambitions.
Note: Only Average scouting knowledge though.
17. Rodolfo Borrell – Austin FC
18 JPP, 15 JPA, 16 Staff Judgement. Think of him as a developmental overseer more than a wheeler-dealer.
Best for: USA saves or Man City-style build-from-within projects.
Extra: Great staff management ability.
18. Luís Gonçalves – FC Porto
Veteran profile, but still elite.
Best for: Portuguese league dynasties or clubs expanding into Brazil and Ukraine.
19. Angelo Mariano Fabiani – Lazio
17 JPA, 15 JPP, 15 in all key skills – this guy won’t blow you away, but he won’t ruin your transfer windows either.
Best for: Smaller Serie A or mid-table clubs needing steady hands.
20. Željko Buvač – Dinamo Moscow
17 JPA, 18 JPP, 19 Tactical Knowledge. Buvač blends scouting and system insight beautifully.
Best for: Eastern European saves, especially where tactical alignment matters.
FAQ – What Does a Director of Football Actually Do in FM24?
Let’s break it down. A Director of Football (DoF) in Football Manager is your right hand when it comes to transfers, contracts, and staff recruitment.
Here’s what they can (and should) do for you:
- Handle Transfers: Let them take over signing players (fully or partially), freeing you up to focus on tactics.
- Negotiate Contracts: Whether it’s re-signing your star striker or haggling with agents, they handle the numbers.
- Hire Backroom Staff: Use their Judging Staff Ability to build a top-tier coaching or scouting team.
- Sell Players: Tired of begging clubs to take your 32-year-old third-choice left-back? That’s their job now.
💡 Tip: You can assign tasks in the Responsibilities tab. Make them handle what you hate.
FM24 Challenge: The Director of Football Save
Want to spice up your next FM save? Try this:
The DoF Challenge
Take control of a club... and don’t sign a single player yourself.
Yup. Zero transfer involvement.
Let your DoF do all the heavy lifting. You’re only responsible for tactics, line-ups, training, and getting the best out of what your Director brings in. Trust the process.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Pick a strong DoF – use the list above.
- Go to Staff Responsibilities → Assign all transfers and contracts to your DoF.
- Focus on making the system work with the squad you're given.
- Feel the chaos... and embrace it.
🚨 Pro Mode: Add a Director of Football mid-save and give them full control. Watch how your save transforms (or crashes).
This challenge is brutal, unpredictable, and addictive.
READ NEXT: 10 Best Coaches for Your Staff in FM24
Final Thoughts – Use Your DoF Like a Pro
The Director of Football isn’t just a flashy backroom staff member – he’s a game-changer if used correctly.
Whether you're trying to dominate Europe with PSG, rebuild a fallen giant, or take an underdog club to the top, the right DoF will save you time, money and stress.
So next time you're scrolling through the staff search tab, don't skip past the DoF section. Dive in, check those attributes, and hire someone who fits your philosophy.
Let them do the dirty work.
You focus on the glory.
