The best teams to start a save with on Football Manager 2024

Football Manager 2024 is finally here, and now it's time for your most important decision of the next 12 months - which team should you start a save with?

From financial problems to transfer bans and everything in between, FM24 has something for everyone and so we here at 90min have put together a list of some of the best saves ideas out there.

Whether you're looking for a specific sort of challenge or you're simply looking for a bit of inspiration, here are 50 teams to consider when starting a new FM24 save.

Financial problems

Derby County

• Country: England
• Division: League One

Financial woes sent Derby right down to the third tier of English football two years ago and they are yet to bounce back.

The Rams narrowly missed the playoffs last season but, while you shouldn't struggle too much to get out of this division, it's surviving in the Championship that is going to prove to be the biggest test of all.

You've got very little money available to you, so you may need to make some tough decisions to get Derby back to the top.

Wigan Athletic

• Country: England
• Division: League One

At the bottom of League One, you've got Wigan Athletic, who begin the season on -8 points. Need we say more?

You need to battle your way to survival while navigating the crippling financial woes that got the club there in the first place.

There's been a change of strategy at Wigan, who are trimming their wage budget and putting their faith in younger players. Whether you choose to stick to that, however, is up to you.

Bolton Wanderers

• Country: England
• Division: League One

In 2008, Bolton were playing in the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup. Ten years later, they were in financial ruin.

Administration led to a tumble all the way down to the fourth tier, although Bolton made it back up to the third, where they appear to be stuck, still kicking around in the same stadium that was graced by the likes of Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan all those years ago.

Free transfers are going to be needed to fix this one.

Reading

• Country: England
• Division: League One

Another former Premier League underdog, Reading find themselves in free-fall after - you guessed it - financial problems tore them apart.

Beginning the League One campaign with -4 points, Reading have no money whatsoever to help you out with, but it hardly matters as you're serving a transfer ban as a result of an unpaid tax bill. What separates this challenge from the rest is that the only thing that can save you is your tactical nous.

There are some intriguing young players on the books at Reading, and you'd be wise to develop them as that's the only way you're going to get any better.

Transfer restrictions

Athletic Club (A. Bilbao)

• Country: Spain
• Division: Spanish First Division

If you've ever played Football Manager, you don't need to ask why Athletic Club are such an intriguing save.

For those who need enlightening, Athletic have a self-imposed transfer rule which means they can only sign Basque players from the local region. There's only a finite number of potential signings, let alone ones who could actually improve the team.

Developing your academy talents is the order of business here.

Albirex Niigata Singapore

• Country: Japan
• Division: Singaporian Premier League

One of the more unique saves out there, Albirex Niigata are a team based in Singapore but operating as a satellite club for a Japanese team of the same name.

The squad is made up largely of Japanese university students and academy talents, and you better get used to that because the rule is you can only sign Japanese players - most of whom aren't rushing to move to Singapore.

Formerly known as Niigata Unicorn, this team is a good one and you're expected to win immediately, but how you grow and compete on the continent is an entirely different challenge.

Altinordu

• Country: Turkey
• Division: Turkish 2. League

Altinordu fell into the second tier of Turkish football last season and their tricky transfer rules won't exactly help their efforts to climb back.

You see, Altinordu have never signed a single player that wasn't Turkish, and they've also only ever paid a transfer fee for six players in their entire history. Their transfer record sits at around €100,000.

Altinordu's focus is on youth development. The club have a rule where at least 34% of the squad must be from the academy, so you better make sure your Head of Youth Development is up for the challenge.

Sint-Truidense

• Country: Belgium
• Division: Jupiler Pro League

Owned by a Japanese outfit, Belgium's Sint-Truidense have a penchant for signing players from Japan and working to turn them into superstars.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Wataru Endo both made their names in Europe with Sint-Truidense, who are always on the look-out for the next Japanese superstar.

Keep your scouts busy and satisfy the owners by unearthing another bargain.

Unique challenges

Nagoya Grampus

• Country: Japan
• Division: J1 League

Arsene Wenger made himself famous out with Nagoya Grampus before his move to Arsenal, proving you don't need the allure of a major European league to attract the attention of the big boys.

Can you follow in the Frenchman's footsteps and make a name for yourself out in Japan? It's not going to be easy, but that's the whole point, right?

On-loan forward Kasper Junker is the star of this team but, when he leaves at the end of the season, you better be prepared.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

• Country: Wales
• Division: JD Cymru Premier

If you're feeling particularly sadistic, you could try the infamous Cardiff Metropolitan University challenge.

Hard-coded as an amateur team, Cardiff Met therefore face a battle to convince any player to join, with nearly every top player refusing to play for anything other than a fully professional outfit. Even when you sign them, they have to sign amateur contracts, meaning they have no value and can be signed by any team at any given moment - and there's nothing you can do about it.

They're in the Welsh top flight and are surprisingly competitive, but the amount of work needed to win trophies and start dreaming of a stint in Europe is mindboggling.

FC Vaduz

• Country: Liechtenstein
• Division: Swiss Challenge League

Liechtenstein-based Vaduz pose one of the most unique challenges available on the entire game.

They play their football in the second tier of the Swiss system but, because they are based outside the country, are not eligible to qualify for European competition through the domestic division. That's right, even if you get promoted and win the top league, you get nothing.

The only route to Europe is through the Liechtenstein Cup. Win that and you're in the Conference League, which you'll have to win if you want to reach the Europa League... which you'll need to win to get a taste of Champions League action.

FC Andorra

• Country: Andorra
• Division: Spanish Second Division

Owned by a certain Gerard Pique, FC Andorra are in the second division in Spain and looking to make a name for themselves.

Building a youthful squad that features a number of players who failed to make the cut at Camp Nou, Andorra are an intriguing project who feel like they're gearing up for a chance to get one over on Pique's former employers.

You can tackle this one however you want, but the extra challenge of trying to build around Barcelona's fringe stars will make this particularly intriguing.

Fallen giants

Arminia Bielefeld

• Country: Germany
• Division: 3. Liga

The 2021/22 season saw Arminia Bielefeld relegated to the second tier of German football, before 2022/23 brought yet another relegation.

Now strutting their stuff towards the bottom of the third tier, Arminia are in absolute free-fall and desperately need somebody to come in and steady the ship.

You're taking charge of a team with no money, no reputation and no hope. Getting them back up to the Bundesliga is a massive ask.

Deportivo La Coruna (Coruna)

• Country: Spain
• Division: Spanish Federation First Division A

Deportivo La Coruna lost to Porto in the semi-final of the 2003/04 Champions League and haven't been the same since.

They've been tumbling down the Spanish pyramid and narrowly avoided a drop into the fourth tier a few years ago. Deportivo are sitting in the third division, looking like a shell of their former selves.

A 32,000-seater stadium awaits if you take on this challenge. Deportivo have the infrastructure of a big club, just not the results.

Palermo

• Country: Italy
• Division: Serie B

Palermo have been through a lot recently.

Hit with a handful of enforced relegations due to massive financial issues, Palermo were banished from professional football in 2019 before surfacing back in the fourth tier in an attempt to rebuild their reputation.

The City Football Group swooped in and purchased Palermo in the summer of 2022, so a new dawn is on the horizon.

Santos (SAN)

• Country: Brazil
• Division: Brazilian National First Division

Santos are one of the most famous teams in Brazil. They've developed some of the country's top talents, from Pele to Neymar and, more recently, Angelo Gabriel.

The problem for Santos is that they're not really that good anymore.

One of just three clubs in Brazil to have never been relegated from the top flight, Santos came perilously close last season and have fallen into a bit of a rut which has seen them struggle to keep hold of their top players. You need to sort it out.

Sevilla

• Country: Spain
• Division: Spanish First Division

Probably the most Football Manager scenario out there, Sevilla entered full rebuild mode this summer by putting literally every player on the transfer list.

That's right. You can sell whoever you want and buy whoever you want. All you have to promise is that you'll change something, because the current direction of the club isn't great.

Sevilla are a top team who have fallen into a major funk, but the challenge to turn things around should have any prospective manager licking their virtual lips.

Bordeaux

• Country: France
• Division: Ligue 2

Few clubs embody too good to be in the second division quite like Bordeaux.

One of the most successful teams in French history, Bordeaux collapsed in 2021 and would end up getting relegated the following year, although financial problems actually saw them forced down into the third tier before a successful appeal kept away that threat... for now.

The money still isn't there, but this club is far too good to be struggling in the depths of French football. Get them back up to the top of the mountain.

Malaga

• Country: Spain
• Division: Spanish Federation First Division B

A Malaga save is a popular one every year, but the stakes have risen for FM24.

Once one of Spain's greatest overachievers, Malaga were in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2013 but, ten years later, fell into the third division for the first time in 25 years. That's a whole extra promotion needed to get them back to their perch.

Financial problems have plagued Malaga for years now and the team is in real danger. They're in desperate need of a saviour.

Anderlecht

• Country: Belgium
• Division: Jupiler Pro League

When most outside of Belgium think of the country's top team, Anderlecht often come up. It's fair enough, considering they are the country's most successful team ever.

However, what that honour overlooks is the struggles they have faced since 2017. Indeed, they haven't won a trophy in six years and finished 11th in the league last season. Anderlecht have been left behind by most of Belgium's emerging talents.

This is a club with serious Champions League and Europa League history. The current predicament they find themselves in is simply not good enough.

Scenarios

CF Os Belenenses (Belenenses)

• Country: Portugal
• Division: Portuguese Second League

Back in 2018, CF Os Belenenses split from another club called Belenenses SAD. B-SAD remained the professional team, but CF Os, who have retained the Belenenses name, had to register an amateur team in the lower tiers of Portuguese football, where they routinely drew bigger crowds than the increasingly unpopular B-SAD.

Since then, Belenenses have sealed five consecutive promotions - a joint-world record - and find themselves in the second division. Promotion to the top tier, and the bragging rights of breaking the world record, are in their sights.

B-SAD have capitulated ever since, but Belenenses are thriving and the chance to make history is just one season away.

Haverfordwest County

• Country: Wales
• Division: JD Cymru Premier

There are two reasons you should consider a save with Welsh outfit Haverfordwest County.

Firstly, you've got the challenge of dethroning The New Saints. TNS have pretty much dominated Welsh football since 2005, winning 14 of their 15 league titles and only failing to finish in the top two on one occasion.

As for why you should pick Haverfordwest County, the Bluebirds are a semi-pro outfit who have forced their way into the Europa Conference League this season. It's the stuff of dreams.

Luton Town

• Country: England
• Division: Premier Division

A real-life game of FM, Luton Town have flown up from non-league to the Premier League and are now the smallest fish in what is a truly enormous pond.

They have no hope of competing financially with even the smaller teams in England's top flight, which has seen them struggle to build the sort of squad you'd want to tackle the Premier League.

Just staying in the division would be a massive accomplishment, let alone actually making something out of your time there.

Rushall Olympic

• Country: England
• Division: National League North

Let us introduce you to Rushall Olympic, who are making their first-ever appearance in FM.

Having secured long-awaited promotion to the National League North, Rushall Olympic are dreaming of climbing up the ranks of English football but obviously have a lot of work to do just to cement their place in this league.

If you're looking for a bottom-to-top sort of save, Rushall Olympic could be perfect for you.

Barcelona

• Country: Spain
• Division: Spanish First Division

Barcelona pose a unique challenge as they're good enough to compete for the biggest trophies around, while also still battling enormous financial problems that have restricted their business for years.

While the squad is good enough to win now, you need to keep them competitive for years and years to come, and that's not going to be easy when you need to be selling players for maximum value and buying cheap.

Get hunting for bargains and slashing your wages, and maybe one day you'll finally be able to sign a player without worrying about it.

Aberdeen

• Country: Scotland
• Division: Premiership

For most neutrals, there isn't a whole lot of entertainment in Scottish football. You kick a ball about for 12 months and then watch Celtic or Rangers lift all the trophies.

Aberdeen were the last team outside of Glasgow to get their hands on the league title, but that came all the way back in 1985 and needed a certain Alex Ferguson to mastermind. So the task here is easy - just do something nobody other than arguably the best manager of all time has been able to accomplish.

They came third last season, so you've got the tools to beat most teams in the division, but there are two massive Glaswegian hurdles standing in the way.

Leeds United

• Country: England
• Division: Championship

Leeds United look like they could be one of the most entertaining teams on FM24.

Having been relegated from the Premier League, it's rebuild time but a lot of the hard work is already done for you. Leeds boast some of the best young talents on the game, including the likes of Georginio Rutter, Wilfried Gnonto and Archie Gray.

You've got everything you need to build an absolute monster of a side in just a few years, so if player development is your thing, think about a stop-off at Elland Road.

Birmingham City

• Country: England
• Division: Championship

It's been a bleak few years for Birmingham, but the sun is shining once again.

Jude Bellingham's old stomping ground is on the up after an exciting takeover which involved NFL icon Tom Brady. It's a change that was needed, having just clung on to a spot in the Championship.

A squad rebuild has helped rejuvenate things further and Birmingham are now looking to claw their way back to the Premier League.

Chelsea

• Country: England
• Division: Premier Division

Chelsea have sort of done all the FM work for you. They've sold the deadwood and replaced them with unproven wonderkids who now face a battle to prove they belong at the highest level.

Their list of high-potential youngsters is ridiculously long and there's no doubting Chelsea can blossom into a major force on FM in a few years, but they currently need plenty of work to steady the ship and nurture those future superstars.

Whether you're going for immediate glory or playing the long game, a Chelsea save will have something to interest you.

Southampton

• Country: England
• Division: Premier Division

Not too dissimilar to Chelsea, Southampton have been undergoing their own squad rebuild in recent years. The focus is on young players, who will be plying their trade in the Championship after last season's relegation.

There are some top young talents here - Gavin Bazunu, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Carlos Alcaraz, to name but a few - as well as some players who should have no problems dominating in the second tier.

Promotion back to the Premier League shouldn't be too much of an ask for Southampton, but the real challenge is building a team capable of surviving, and ultimately thriving, in England's top flight.

Newcastle United

• Country: England
• Division: Premier Division

Having received a massive cash injection, Newcastle United are living the dream. They've gone from a relegation battle to the Champions League in just two seasons and now have a squad full of huge talents.

The Magpies are a top side once again but still have work to do to establish themselves as a genuine threat, either domestically or on the continent. They need more spending, but thankfully, they've got the cash to offer exactly that.

Plus, if you manage Newcastle, you don't have to deal with the eternal threat of being beaten into submission by Callum Wilson every time you face him. Every. Time.

Sunderland

• Country: England
• Division: Championship

Sunderland are riding a wave of optimism after years of misery and disappointment. Back-to-back relegations left them down in the third tier in 2018, but they're on the cusp of a return to the Premier League.

With a young squad full of players under 23, Sunderland are building a real fan-favourite team which just so happens to include 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham, brother of current Real Madrid sensation Jude.

Keep the progress coming. Turn Jobe into the next Jude. Set your sights on beating local rivals Newcastle further down the line. There are so many options here.

Union Berlin

• Country: Germany
• Division: Bundesliga

Bundesliga overachievers Union Berlin took their fairytale to the next level last season when they won a place in the Champions League just four years after being promoted to Germany's top tier.

Several solid players were recruited during the summer to try and prepare for this new challenge, but Union Berlin have come crashing down to earth this season. Manager Urs Fischer put it best: "In recent years we have always used the words 'surreal' and 'madness'. Maybe now we also have to use the word 'reality' in which we find ourselves."

Particularly ambitious players can shoot for immediate success in the Champions League this season, but in truth, it may take you a good few years to build a squad capable of genuinely competing.

Benfica

• Country: Portugal
• Division: Portuguese Premier League

There's an urban legend about Benfica that makes for an intriguing FM save.

In 1962, a curse was supposedly placed on Benfica that would stop them from winning a European trophy for the next 100 years. Since then, they've lost all eight finals they have reached, the last of which came in 2014.

Break the curse. That's all you have to do.

Everything else

Vissel Kobe

• Country: Japan
• Division: J1 League

The Japanese league has been secured for FM24 and what better way to celebrate than by taking over a Vissel Kobe side already searching for a manager?

You've just missed Andres Iniesta but Juan Mata is there waiting for you alongside former Newcastle striker Yoshinori Muto and 22-year-old Brazilian starlet Lincoln.

Vissel Kobe are one of Japan's finest teams, so the expectation is immediate dominance.

AC Milan

• Country: Italy
• Division: Serie A

As seven-time Champions League winners, AC Milan have one of the greatest legacies in Europe.

They won Serie A in 2022 but have not managed to re-establish themselves as genuine powerhouses of the global game, despite boasting top talents like Rafael Leao, Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez.

Getting back to the top of the European mountain is the challenge here, but you'll need to find a few more pieces to improve your squad if you are to get the job done.

Wrexham

• Country: Wales
• Division: League Two

Ever fancied starring in a Disney+ docuseries?

Wrexham are backed by Hollywood megastars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, spending big money to get back to the Football League, and they now find themselves in League Two.

The goal for Wrexham is an easy one - just keep winning.

Notts County

• Country: England
• Division: League Two

Wrexham won the battle with Notts County last season, but both teams ended up in League Two anyway.

Everyone is singing the Welsh side's praises and overlooking the fact that Notts County also broke the division's points record last season, going toe-to-toe with the Hollywood machine and only narrowly coming off second-best.

If you take over Notts County, you could become the supervillain to finally put an end to Deadpool.

Paris FC

• Country: France
• Division: Ligue 2

There are a few clubs you could opt for if you're looking to overthrow Paris Saint-Germain, but there's an extra sprinkle of narrative in a Paris FC save.

You've got to climb up out of the second tier and establish yourself in the first division, which is already a tough task, but that's not even the fun part of this challenge.

The gulf in quality between PSG and Paris FC is currently unfathomably massive, but if you're such a good manager, you can surely figure out a way to turn the tables.

Ajax

• Country: Netherlands
• Division: Eredivisie

There's not usually much intrigue around an Ajax save, but things are a little different in FM24.

Having sold all their stars, Ajax have effectively hit the reset button this season, and the results haven't been pretty. The Amsterdam giants are flailing towards the bottom of the division, inciting riots from fans in the process.

You've got to get Ajax back to the top of the table before you can even think about restoring them to their previous status as European champions.

Oldham Athletic

• Country: England
• Division: National League

Oldham were a founding Premier League team and managed to hang about for a few years before dropping down to the second tier.

Since then, things have been pretty rough for the Latics, who became the first former Premier League team to fall all the way down to the National League when they were relegated in 2022. This isn't how the story was supposed to go.

A recent takeover has ushered in a new era but there is still plenty of work to do to get Oldham back to the top tier.

Exeter City

• Country: England
• Division: League One

Bought by the fans in 2003. Exeter are a real feel-good story after battling their way from non-league back up to League One.

They're a very small fish in a big pond, however, and while the owners are happy to invest in the team, their budget isn't exactly massive. But that's fine. That's not what Exeter are all about.

You're doing it for the fans here. Sticking it to every greedy owner who ever hurt you.

Orlando Pirates

• Country: South Africa
• Division: South African Premier Soccer League

As the only active African division, South Africa is a managerial experience you have to try.

Mamelodi Sundowns are the country's dominant force, winning all the titles and playing a tiki-taka variant known as Shoe Shine & Piano. They're going to be incredibly tough to stop.

Continental glory is an option here, and you could use Orlando Pirates as a stepping stone for the Pentagon Challenge - winning each continent's Champions League.

Inter Miami

• Country: United States
• Division: Major League Soccer

Inter Miami was a fun save even before things kicked into overdrive this summer.

Sure, the chance to work under David Beckham is fun, but now you can do that while also leading a team that includes Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. It's the stuff of dreams.

Miami have tended to struggle without their superstars, who need plenty of rest to remain at the peak of their powers, so you've got work to do to make their entire squad competitive.

Dundee United

• Country: Scotland
• Division: Championship

Dundee United were battling to qualify for the Europa Conference League at the start of the 2022/23 season. By the end of it, they were relegated to the second division.

How everything fell apart so quickly for Dundee United remains a mystery, but there's no time to dwell. You've got a job to do, and it's not going to be an easy one.

To make matters worse, local rivals Dundee FC took your place in the top flight. You can't be having that.

Manchester United (Manchester UFC)

• Country: England
• Division: Premier Division

The optimism of Erik ten Hag's early months at Old Trafford has vanished and now Manchester United are on the cusp of crisis once again.

A high-earning, underperforming squad has brought United back to square one again. You could opt for a full rebuild or try and draw the best out of the current crop of players. Either way, it's not going to be easy.

Just what impact the takeover uncertainty will create in FM remains to be seen as well, but it should add another layer of intrigue to this challenge.

Nordsjaelland

• Country: Denmark
• Division: Superliga

Danish outfit Nordsjaelland are known for their immense production line of wonderkids, which sounds like the recipe for a fun FM save.

FM23 favourite Andreas Schjelderup is back on loan after struggling at Benfica, but intriguing prospects like Adamo Nagalo and Mohamed Diomande are headline talents under contract, and then you've got the club's immense youth recruitment to look forward to.

They've played in the Champions League but have not won the Norwegian title since 2012. Time to end that dry run.

Como 1907

• Country: Italy
• Division: Serie B

There are a lot of good vibes over at Como 1907.

Former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise is the Serie B side's president, Thierry Henry has a share in the club and so has Cesc Fabregas, who ended his playing career with the Italian side this summer and now works as their Under-19 manager.

Former wonderkid Patrick Cutrone is perhaps the biggest name at the club. Still only 25, the former £23m man made headlines this summer as he picked a fight with non-league outfit Hashtag United at a seven-a-side tournament in America. A busy few years for him.

Woking

• Country: England
• Division: National League

Fans of iconic English TV series The Inbetweeners may be familiar with the riches on offer if you succeed with Woking.

As the story (or the lie) goes, Jay Cartwright took Woking from the sixth tier to the Champions League in just six seasons, earning himself a real-life call-up to the England management team.

While we can't guarantee a future with the FA is on the cards if you beat this challenge, it still sounds like a fun one to try.

Velez Sarsfield

• Country: Argentina
• Division: Argentine Premier Division

Argentinian football has been dominated by River Plate and Boca Juniors. Somebody needs to put an end to this.

Velez have one of the best academies around, routinely bringing through future superstars, and so can offer all the tools you need to finally dethrone the two heavyweights of the division.

It's not as easy as it may sound, however, as Velez are struggling these days and their current squad is far from good enough to go toe-to-toe with the bigger sides.