From fallen giants and hipster romance to instant chaos and long-term dynasties, these are the 25 best FM26 teams to manage, with goals and tips.
You want a save that grabs you on day one and keeps you up far too late on a Tuesday. Same. This hand picked list of the 25 best teams to manage in FM26 gives you exactly that - a mix of redemption arcs, hipster romance, instant chaos and decade long dynasties. For each club you get a clear Season 1 objective, a recruitment blueprint that fits the context, one concrete FM tip, plus the main pitfall to avoid. Pick your flavour, set a plan, and enjoy the ride.
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Quick navigation
- Beginner friendly - instant fun
- Redemption arcs - bring back the glory
- Hipster romance - history and vibes
- Instant chaos - crisis and hard choices
- Long term dynasties - era defining projects
How we chose
- Identity potential - a clear way to play or rebuild story that makes sense.
- Progress ladder - realistic steps from stabilise to compete to dominate.
- Youth pathway - either a strong academy or fertile scouting grounds.
- Transfer elasticity - room to add value with smart profiles, not just cash.
- Fun factor - rivalry, stadium, culture or chaos that creates memorable saves.
A) Beginner friendly - instant fun and clear targets
1) Wrexham AFC
Why it is fun: Momentum, media weight and a fanbase that lives every kick. Easy to sell a project to players and sponsors.
Season 1 objective: Mid table consolidation in the Championship with an outside shot at the play offs if you nail January.
Recruitment blueprint: Mobile CB leader, box to box engine, wide creator with end product.
FM tip: Add set piece routines early and squeeze 12 to 15 league goals from corners and throws.
Watch out: Wages creep fast. Protect the structure with appearance heavy deals.
2) Sunderland
Why it is fun: Huge club energy, serious crowds, and a revival arc that makes every win feel big.
Season 1 objective: Top half consolidation in the Premier League and a proper cup run.
Recruitment blueprint: Aerial CB, ball winning CM, channel running striker.
FM tip: Use an aggressive press at home and a mid block away to keep legs fresh.
Watch out: Going kids only. Blend two or three leaders aged 26 to 30 to steady game states.
3) Leeds United
Why it is fun: Identity rich club, demanding crowd, rivalry fuel everywhere - perfect for a culture reset.
Season 1 objective: 42 to 48 points and a tidy, low xGA mid table finish in the Premier League. Spice it with a cup run.
Recruitment blueprint: Composed ball playing CB, progressive CM, inside forward with a left foot from the right.
FM tip: Match prep focus on defensive shape for away days. It saves points.
Watch out: Wage structure can explode if you chase names. Set a cap and stick to it.
4) Sporting CP
Why it is fun: Great academy, balanced finances, realistic title shots while developing stars.
Season 1 objective: Title challenge and progression from the Champions League league phase.
Recruitment blueprint: Press resistant DM, inverted full back, direct winger who defends.
FM tip: Rotate early to keep your U21s engaged and ready for spring minutes.
Watch out: Selling the wrong player at the wrong time. Get release clauses right.
5) Dinamo Zagreb
Why it is fun: Talent factory with European nights and a platform to flip prospects.
Season 1 objective: Domestic dominance and a Europa League league phase push.
Recruitment blueprint: Aggressive ball winner, two footed 10, modern sweeper keeper.
FM tip: Build a Croatia heavy core for registration and cohesion benefits.
Watch out: Too many exports too soon. Keep one or two crown jewels for a cycle.
B) Redemption arcs - bring back the glory
6) Valencia CF
Why it is fun: Massive ceiling if you control wages and trust the academy - one of Europe’s great sleeping houses stirring again.
Season 1 objective: European qualification with a wage and contract reset under a clear sporting structure.
Recruitment blueprint: Positionally intelligent CB, tempo CM, inverted winger with pace.
FM tip: Incentive heavy contracts reduce fixed cost and keep the room hungry.
Watch out: Winter panic buys. Wait for value or promote from within.
7) Deportivo La Coruña
Why it is fun: Super Depor nostalgia meets modern rebuild. The badge still carries weight in the market.
Season 1 objective: Automatic promotion chase back to La Liga - build a top two defence first.
Recruitment blueprint: CB who dominates the box, deep lying playmaker, target forward outlet.
FM tip: Train wide players for near post corner runs. Easy goals in the second tier.
Watch out: Overspending to rush the climb. Protect cash flow first.
8) Girondins de Bordeaux
Why it is fun: Fallen giant with a real community fightback story - perfect for a purist’s long rebuild.
Season 1 objective: Win your National 2 group, regain a professional structure and build a wage spine for the next jump.
Recruitment blueprint: Organiser CB, ball carrier in midfield, calm finisher.
FM tip: Use a cautious away shape to rack up clean sheets and ugly wins.
Watch out: Short contracts for key assets. Tie them down early.
9) Schalke 04
Why it is fun: One of Germany’s biggest fanbases, proper arena pressure, and a textbook rebuild narrative.
Season 1 objective: Promotion challenge from 2. Bundesliga with a top three defensive record.
Recruitment blueprint: Vocal CB, industrious 8, direct striker who attacks the near post.
FM tip: Control transitions - a 6 with high anticipation prevents chaos.
Watch out: Emotional decisions after a bad run. Trust the plan.
10) Parma
Why it is fun: Heritage club with romance, room to modernise and a clear top flight foothold to protect.
Season 1 objective: Stay up comfortably in Serie A and reset the wage curve.
Recruitment blueprint: Ball playing CB, mezzala with legs, wide forward with cut back threat.
FM tip: Use underlaps to feed a late arriving central runner.
Watch out: Too many technicians, not enough athletes. Balance profiles.
C) Hipster romance - history, patina and specific challenges
11) TSV 1860 Munich
Why it is fun: Big city identity in the shadow of a giant. A patient, satisfying climb.
Season 1 objective: Promotion push from 3. Liga while building a spine of leaders.
Recruitment blueprint: Dominant CB, pressing forward, set piece specialist full back.
FM tip: Early mentoring groups accelerate development and keep morale steady.
Watch out: Over rotating youngsters in crunch games. Pick your moments.
12) Palermo
Why it is fun: Iconic colours, passionate support and a route back to top flight relevance.
Season 1 objective: Promotion race from Serie B with a defensive base and clean sheet habit.
Recruitment blueprint: Air winner at CB, crafty 10, two footed winger.
FM tip: Train your 9 for near post runs - devastating with good wide delivery.
Watch out: Emotional streaks. Keep discipline consistent.
13) Notts County
Why it is fun: Oldest professional club narrative and a clear step by step ladder.
Season 1 objective: Promotion from League Two - top three points total or play offs with momentum.
Recruitment blueprint: Ball playing CB, metronome CM, poacher with movement.
FM tip: Play to feet and use third man runs from midfield.
Watch out: Soft centre away from home. Add a destroyer for tough trips.
14) Queen’s Park
Why it is fun: Historic Scottish club with modern ambition - perfect for a systems project and smart loans.
Season 1 objective: Championship play offs while blooding academy minutes.
Recruitment blueprint: Aggressive CB, energetic carrilero, inverted winger.
FM tip: Set tempo to suit technical level. Too fast and you burn possession.
Watch out: Small squad depth. Build a loan pipeline early.
15) Red Star Paris
Why it is fun: Alternative Paris story with culture, style and slow burn glamour.
Season 1 objective: Consolidate in Ligue 2 and be in the promotion conversation after January.
Recruitment blueprint: Organising CB, deep playmaker, channel running 9.
FM tip: Defend in a narrow block and spring wide to exploit space.
Watch out: Possession without penetration. Train cut back patterns.
D) Instant chaos - crisis, finances and tough choices
16) Sampdoria
Why it is fun: Proud badge in flux. You set the direction from day one.
Season 1 objective: Solidify in Serie B and time a late surge towards the play offs.
Recruitment blueprint: Vocal CB leader, nasty ball winner, target forward outlet.
FM tip: Discipline and time wasting late in games to bank points.
Watch out: Ill judged overhauls. Rebuild in phases.
17) Vasco da Gama
Why it is fun: Immense support and a league full of talent to develop and flip.
Season 1 objective: Série A top half with a swing at continental qualification. Manage fees and bonuses smartly.
Recruitment blueprint: Fast CB with recovery pace, box to box 8, direct winger who tracks back.
FM tip: Build two XIs for schedule congestion - Brazil is relentless.
Watch out: Agent and intermediary costs spiralling. Keep a hard line in negotiations.
18) Cruzeiro
Why it is fun: A fallen powerhouse regaining its swagger - superb for a data first rebuild and intense matchdays.
Season 1 objective: Top six target with a cup run to re ignite the brand.
Recruitment blueprint: Dominant CB, press resistant 6, creator second striker.
FM tip: Rotate by minutes, not by matches. Keep workloads green.
Watch out: Short term loans masking long term gaps. Build your core.
19) FC Sochaux
Why it is fun: Survival first, build smart, lean into academy and analytics.
Season 1 objective: Stabilise in Championnat National and finish higher than expected xGA against.
Recruitment blueprint: Aerial CB, set piece taker, hard running winger.
FM tip: Attack set pieces are free points. Invest training time weekly.
Watch out: Thin margins. Protect morale with achievable promises.
20) Hamburger SV
Why it is fun: Giant expectations after years of frustration - now in the top flight again, which makes every choice matter.
Season 1 objective: Bundesliga mid table consolidation. Aim for a defensive PPDA under 10.
Recruitment blueprint: Organiser CB, ball progressor in midfield, penalty box striker.
FM tip: Use a mid block to reduce chaos and control transitions.
Watch out: Crowd pressure leading to rash mid season changes. Stay steady.
E) Long term dynasties - 8 to 12 season epics
21) Athletic Club Bilbao
Why it is fun: Basque only policy makes every signing meaningful and every graduate golden.
Season 1 objective: Champions League league phase progress and a top four La Liga tilt.
Recruitment blueprint: Scout Basque diaspora, convert full backs to inverted roles, promote early.
FM tip: Double down on mentoring - personality is power here.
Watch out: Overuse injuries. Manage intensity spikes carefully.
22) Feyenoord
Why it is fun: Big club energy with scope to become a European constant.
Season 1 objective: Eredivisie title challenge and a Europa League league phase run.
Recruitment blueprint: Ball playing CB, dynamic 8, wide forward with end product.
FM tip: Train counter press triggers, not constant all action pressing.
Watch out: Selling too many leaders in one window. Phase exits.
23) FC Copenhagen
Why it is fun: Dominate domestically, build a European identity and a sustainable pipeline.
Season 1 objective: Superliga challenge and Champions League league stage points on the board.
Recruitment blueprint: Tall CB, modern 6, ruthless finisher who presses.
FM tip: Use two different corner routines to avoid AI adaptation.
Watch out: Complacency. Keep competition for places hot.
24) Atalanta
Why it is fun: Data first recruitment, superb player development and tactical flexibility.
Season 1 objective: Top four tilt and progress from the UCL league phase.
Recruitment blueprint: Fast CB with decent technique, press resistant 6, two way wing back.
FM tip: Train wide CBs if you go back three - they win you metres.
Watch out: Too much churn. Keep a core for cohesion.
25) Rangers
Why it is fun: Title battles, European nights and a clear mission to punch above weight in Europe.
Season 1 objective: Premiership title push and Europa League league phase progress.
Recruitment blueprint: Aerial CB, deep playmaker, efficient wide forward.
FM tip: Build set piece variety to tilt tight Old Firm games.
Watch out: Age profile drift. Keep a healthy 23 to 27 core.
Mini guide - start strong with any pick
- Define Season 1 success - one measurable target: promotion, top six, 70 points, best defence. Write it down and align everything to it.
- Build a spine - one leader per line: vocal CB, reliable CM, striker who scores ugly goals.
- Recruit profiles, not names - height and aggression at the back, legs in midfield, speed wide, decisions in the final third.
- Set piece identity - near post, far post, routines by footedness. It is free value.
- Training discipline - match prep for big away days, rest after heavy schedules, individual focus on weaknesses.
- Contract hygiene - incentives over fixed wages, clear squad status, no panic extensions in a bad week.
FAQ
Who should I manage first in FM26
If you want an immediate hit, go Wrexham or Sporting. If you want a story you will tell mates about, pick Deportivo or Schalke. For a decade long odyssey, Athletic Club or Atalanta are outstanding.
What is the hardest long term save on this list
Athletic Club due to recruitment constraints, or 1860 Munich if you want a deep climb with a giant next door. Both force you to plan smarter than the AI.
Can I run a youth only approach with these clubs
Yes. The best fits are Sporting, Dinamo Zagreb, Atalanta and Feyenoord. Add strict playing time pathways and move poor personalities quickly.
What tactic fits most of these teams out of the box
A simple 4-2-3-1 with a ball winning CM and a supportive 10 will carry you to competence. Layer in a set piece plan and a game state switch for the final 20 minutes.
How do I keep a save interesting after season three
Set a fresh constraint: homegrown quotas, fee caps, nationality only, or an academy mandate. Or branch into a multi club model with affiliates to control loans and pathways.
Related reading
- FM26 Save Ideas - Fallen Giants to Rebuild
- FM26 Save Ideas - Sleeping Giants
- FM26 Save Ideas - Financial Crisis Rebuilds
- FM26 Save Ideas - Non League to Top Flight
- Wonderkids Hub
Final word and quick CTAs
Whatever you pick, commit to a clear identity, a tight wage structure and a spine of leaders. FM26 rewards plans that survive a bad week, not reactionary chaos. If you want day one access, pre order FM26 at a discount. If you are unsure about performance, run your machine through the FM26 laptop rater and tidy up settings before you start. See you on the touchline.
