Historic giants that lost their way - perfect long term projects for your
FM26 career.
If you are chasing a save that actually means something, start here. Fallen giants give you history, a demanding fanbase and just enough chaos to make every decision matter. It is not just about signing stars. It is about restoring an identity, fixing wage structures, rebuilding youth pipelines and dealing with the pressure of banners over the tunnel. If that sounds like your sort of Football Manager experience, this list will keep you busy from day one of FM26.
Below you will find 12 clubs with proper weight behind the badge. For each one I have kept it practical. Why the fall, what to target in season one, a recruitment blueprint that makes sense and one concrete FM tip that will actually move your needle. Use it as a menu, pick one, and go write a story that will have your mates checking your save updates at 2 am.
Quick heads up. If you plan to dive in on day one, grab our FM26 discount and sanity check your hardware with the FM Laptop Rater or the full Gamer Hub.
How to use this list
Pick a club whose story resonates, set three clear season one objectives and keep your transfer activity targeted. Four to six smart signings are plenty. Layer in set piece routines, a consistent training focus and you will feel momentum quickly. If you need tactical inspiration, our Tactics hub has you covered.
12 Fallen Giants to Rebuild
Manchester United
Why they fell: A decade of drift and mixed recruitment dulled the elite edge.
Season 1 objectives: Re establish a top four level, stabilise the defence, define a non negotiable game model.
Recruitment blueprint: Mobile centre back, tempo setting midfielder, a direct one v one winger who actually beats a man.
FM tip: Build four corner routines and two free kick patterns. Big clubs gain quiet points with dead balls when the open play ideas are still bedding in.
Valencia CF
Why they fell: Financial pressure and constant sales broke continuity.
Season 1 objectives: European qualification through the league, sensible wage structure, minutes for homegrown talent.
Recruitment blueprint: Free transfers, loans within La Liga and Iberian value. Avoid big fees until Europe is secured.
FM tip: Integrate B team and affiliates early. A managed minutes plan protects fragile depth across a long season.
Hamburger SV
Why they fell: Years in the second tier drained momentum, but promotion finally arrived.
Season 1 objectives: Consolidate in the Bundesliga, finish mid table if possible, embed a pressing identity.
Recruitment blueprint: Bundesliga pace out wide, a reliable ball winning six, aerially strong keeper.
FM tip: Build a rest defense with two holders when both full backs push to survive big away days.
Deportivo La Coruña
Why they fell: From champions to turbulence through financial and sporting shocks.
Season 1 objectives: Stepwise climb, rebuild a strong spine, reconnect Riazor with a recognisable identity.
Recruitment blueprint: Experienced backbone plus local prospects, clever loans for creativity and pace.
FM tip: Train counter transitions and a simple corner to counter pattern. You will steal results versus stronger sides.
Rangers FC
Why they fell: A dramatic reset turned into a pressure cooker return to the top.
Season 1 objectives: Win the league, get at least one European knockout tie, build the coefficient.
Recruitment blueprint: Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia for hungry profiles. Prioritise mentality, leadership and set piece delivery.
FM tip: Aggressive full back pairing with balanced instructions. Width plus a compact rest defence will win domestic games by grind.
Girondins de Bordeaux
Why they fell: Financial turmoil and administrative relegations reset the club.
Season 1 objectives: Win the N2 group, regain National status, restore academy pathway and wage discipline.
Recruitment blueprint: Experienced spine on short deals plus academy graduates, target set piece delivery.
FM tip: In lower tiers lean on set pieces and compact 4 4 2 to grind consistent points.
Half time tip. If you are spinning up this save on day one, line up the basics now. Pre order with our FM26 discount, then check your machine with the FM Laptop Rater. Clean start, no surprises.
Wisła Kraków
Why they fell: A giant of Polish football stuck between eras.
Season 1 objectives: Win promotion from I liga back to Ekstraklasa, make home a fortress, go on a cup run.
Recruitment blueprint: Central Europe and the Balkans for value. One set piece specialist is a cheat code in this league profile.
FM tip: Invest in technical training and individual roles. A year of sharper first touch and passing flips tight home fixtures.
Sampdoria
Why they fell: A rollercoaster of instability on and off the pitch.
Season 1 objectives: Promotion, wage bill clean up, a reliable spine with two clear chance creators.
Recruitment blueprint: Serie B bargains, loans from Serie A, one experienced regista or deep lying playmaker.
FM tip: Use a narrow build with half spaces occupied by AMs. Drill late box runs from the eight to add shot volume.
Parma Calcio
Why they fell: A historic collapse followed by a tough road back.
Season 1 objectives: Mid table stability in Serie A, low risk contract structure, progress in the cup.
Recruitment blueprint: Mobile mezzala or box to box eight, an inverted winger with pace and decisions, physical centre back.
FM tip: Prioritise teamwork and work rate in scouting filters. Cohesion is worth more than a single star signing here.
AS Saint Étienne
Why they fell: Massive history, modern inconsistency.
Season 1 objectives: Promotion push from Ligue 2, build a domestic core, shift towards proactive pressing.
Recruitment blueprint: Ligue 2 standouts and under 23 profiles with athletic upside. Keep deals short and incentivised.
FM tip: Push youth intake development. The club sings again when locals break into the first team.
Dinamo București
Why they fell: Off field chaos mirrored by on field swings.
Season 1 objectives: Return to genuine title contention, secure Europe, rediscover identity through academy and diaspora.
Recruitment blueprint: Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria for value, plus one reliable creative ten to unlock low blocks.
FM tip: Prepare a low block variant for European away days. A compact 4 4 2 with set piece threat travels well.
1. FC Kaiserslautern
Why they fell: From European nights to wandering through divisions.
Season 1 objectives: Top three in 2. Bundesliga and promotion, embed a pressing identity, re energise the fanbase.
Recruitment blueprint: Zweite Liga stars, plus Austria, Czech Republic and Poland for edges the market is slow to price.
FM tip: Emphasise stamina, recovery and match cohesion. Your game model needs legs to function for 34 rounds.
Pro tips that make fallen giant saves sing
Set a hard wage structure and stick to it. Stars fit your rules, not the other way round.
Target four to six signings only. Too much churn kills familiarity and leadership balance.
Create six set piece routines before your first friendly. Corners and free kicks bank points early.
Build an affiliate network. Loans and work permit routes are value multipliers in the first two seasons.
Use a development plan for your top five prospects. Individual roles and mentoring accelerate gains.
What next
If you want even more inspiration, check our Wonderkids hub and the Tactics hub. When you are ready to start, grab the FM26 discount, rate your hardware with the FM Laptop Rater and have our Gamer Hub on standby for upgrades.
Ready to revive a legend? Pick your giant, set three season one objectives and go make a fanbase believe again.
