10 sleeping giants to revive in FM26 - clear objectives, smart scouting and
FM tips for a proper rebuild save.
If you want a save where history weighs on every team talk, sleeping giants are perfect. These are clubs with huge support, iconic stadiums and trophy cabinets that have gathered dust. Your job is to set a clear identity, recruit with purpose and prove that the shirt still carries fear. Below is a hand picked ten from Europe, South America, North America and Africa so you can choose the challenge that fits your mood.
Already in the groove with redemption arcs? Pair this with our companion piece FM26 Save Ideas - 12 Fallen Giants to Rebuild for another flavour of long term project.
How this list works
Each club comes with four quick blocks so you can hit the ground running. Why sleeping gives you context. Season 1 objectives sets the bar. Recruitment blueprint points you towards the right profiles. FM tip is a concrete in game nudge that wins points early. Keep your first window tight. Four to six targeted signings are plenty.
10 Sleeping Giants Waiting for a Comeback
Schalke 04 (Germany)
Why sleeping: One of Europe’s biggest fanbases and traditions, but recent seasons have fallen short of expectations. The identity needs a reset that is visible from the first press.
Season 1 objectives: Promotion push with a defined style, re establish a hard working culture, keep the wage bill under control.
Recruitment blueprint: 2. Bundesliga value plus Austria and Czechia for athletic profiles. Prioritise a vocal centre back, a reliable ball winner at six and a wide forward who carries the ball at pace.
FM tip: Emphasise stamina and recovery in training. Two near post and two far post corner routines will grind tight wins at this level.
Leeds United (England)
Why sleeping: Iconic club with an Elland Road aura that once terrified visitors. The brand is huge - now it’s about proving it every week back in the top flight.
Season 1 objectives: Comfortable Premier League safety trending to top half while you bed in a front foot style. Promote at least one academy player into a real rotation role.
Recruitment blueprint: Dynamic box to box eight, inverted winger with pace and decision making, full backs with engines.
FM tip: Build a high press with clear pressing triggers. Add tactical discipline for the first two months so the shape holds under pressure.
Torino (Italy)
Why sleeping: Monumental heritage and city pride yet a modern era that rarely hits the ceiling. This save is about control, clean sheets and a defined style.
Season 1 objectives: European qualification, low concessions record, strong home form that turns tight draws into narrow wins.
Recruitment blueprint: Serie A and B bargains, a deep lying playmaker with long passing, a target forward or channel runner to pin centre backs.
FM tip: Protect against counters with a rest defence. One stay back full back plus a disciplined holding midfielder will quietly add points.
Olympique Lyonnais (France)
Why sleeping: Once a conveyor belt of stars and a Champions League regular, now a club that needs stability and a strong academy pathway again.
Season 1 objectives: Top three trajectory, restart the academy pipeline and balance the books with performance based contracts.
Recruitment blueprint: Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 undervalued wingers who can beat a man, a leader at six who can pass through pressure and a commanding goalkeeper.
FM tip: Prepare four attacking rotations between nine, ten and the eights. Third man runs will unlock stubborn home opponents.
Panathinaikos (Greece)
Why sleeping: A European name with a league title drought since 2010. The cup came back in 2024 - the championship hasn’t.
Season 1 objectives: Title challenge, Europa League league phase progress, two homegrowns reaching 1,500+ minutes.
Recruitment blueprint: Domestic core plus Balkans for value, a progressive passing six and a penalty box striker with movement not just size.
FM tip: In Greece, set pieces and transitions decide races - install six routines and train fast break patterns from week one.
Pumas UNAM (Mexico)
Why sleeping: An iconic university club with a massive following and no Liga MX title since Clausura 2011. Reached the 2022 Concacaf Champions League final - the platform is there, consistency isn’t.
Season 1 objectives: Consistent Liguilla qualification, clear identity at Estadio Olímpico Universitario, integrate one academy winger into real rotation.
Recruitment blueprint: Domestic spine with high work rate, a progressive six, an outlet winger with end product and a centre back who dominates in both boxes.
FM tip: Manage fatigue around travel and double game weeks. Script two near post and one far post corner - margins are small and dead balls swing ties.
Independiente (Argentina)
Why sleeping: Libertadores royalty whose modern results lag behind the badge. This is a pure identity save built on discipline and youth.
Season 1 objectives: Domestic top four, continental qualification and a wage structure that rewards output rather than reputation.
Recruitment blueprint: Argentina B, Uruguay and Paraguay for value. Sign a leader at centre back and a creator to unlock low blocks.
FM tip: Keep a tight budget, rotate wingers to maintain intensity and use underlaps to overload half spaces.
Vasco da Gama (Brazil)
Why sleeping: Title rich giant with a massive fanbase, coming off a 10th place finish in 2024. The task now is to convert stability into consistent continental nights.
Season 1 objectives: Top half trajectory with a real Copa do Brasil or Sudamericana run, integrate two under 23 starters and keep the wage structure tight.
Recruitment blueprint: Tap the Brazil U23 and Série B market for value, add a ball winning six, an aerially dominant centre back and one explosive winger with end product.
FM tip: Manage travel and fixture congestion carefully. Script two near post and one far post corner routines and rotate your wide players to keep intensity through the winter grind.
Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
Why sleeping: One of Africa’s biggest clubs that just ended a decade long wait for silverware with the 2025 Nedbank Cup. The next step is league consistency and a real CAF run.
Season 1 objectives: Domestic title or at least CAF qualification, modernise training and scouting.
Recruitment blueprint: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and DR Congo for a strong physical technical blend.
FM tip: Aggressive press in the league, but prepare a compact low block variant for continental away days.
D.C. United (USA)
Why sleeping: MLS original with four MLS Cups - none since 2004 - and the last major silverware the 2013 U.S. Open Cup. A playoff drought since 2019 means Audi Field is demanding a reset that sticks.
Season 1 objectives: Make the playoffs, rationalise DP and cap usage, integrate one homegrown as a regular starter, and lift the defensive record to league median or better.
Recruitment blueprint: MLS-proven centre back who attacks crosses, a tempo-setting eight, and a creative wide forward who beats his man rather than spamming crosses. Keep one DP slot flexible for the summer window.
FM tip: Your edge is mastering MLS roster rules - use TAM and trades smartly, exploit discovery rights, and set two far-post corner routines plus one short free-kick pattern for cheap goals.
Pro tips for waking a giant
Set a simple identity and repeat it everywhere. Press triggers, rest defence and set pieces. Players buy in when the plan never changes under stress.
Keep window one small. Four to six signings that match your blueprint beat a scattergun spree.
Install six set piece routines before your first friendly. Dead balls are points in the bank while your open play model matures.
Promote two academy players into a defined rotation. Minutes plus mentoring pays off by Christmas.
What next
For more redemption ideas, check FM26 Save Ideas - 12 Fallen Giants to Rebuild. When you are ready to start, grab the FM26 discount, rate your hardware with the FM Laptop Rater and keep the Gamer Hub handy for upgrades.
