The best clubs to start an FM21 career with

Starting a new Football Manager 2021 save isn't as easy as just clicking 'play'. You've got to figure out your project and work out whether you want immediate glory or more of a long-term challenge.

Fortunately, FM21 gives players the chance to try their hands at absolutely anything you could imagine. There are teams around the world with different challenges and obstacles to overcome, some of which you need to try out.

Here are some of the best clubs to start a FM21 career with.

Hamburg

One of the most successful sides in the history of German football, Hamburg haven't exactly had it all their own way in recent years.

They dropped down into the second division in 2017 and are yet to find a way out, but Hamburg have all the facilities needed to hang in the Bundesliga. They just need a manager to help them get there and stay there.

With a squad full of promising young talents, Hamburg is a great place to start if you're looking to awaken a sleeping giant.

Napoli

The Napoli of 2017/18 were probably the best side in the last ten years of Italian football not to win the Serie A title, and they've got all the tools needed to mount a serious challenge in the near future.

With star centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly lining up behind young stars like Fabian Ruiz, Victor Osimhen and Hirving Lozano, Napoli have some of the most exciting talents on the planet, but they've lost their way a little bit and find themselves away from European football in 2020/21.

Your first job is to get Napoli back to the Champions League, before mounting yet another push for the title.

Roma

Roma have all the infrastructure needed to be a dominant force in Europe, and thanks to the recent takeover, they've now got the money needed to build a real squad too.

The likes of Nicolo Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini will give you the spine you need to build from, and with all your new-found cash, you can dip into the transfer market and find the missing link to steer I Giallorossi to glory.

There's genuine potential for Roma to become one of Europe's top sides. They just need a manager to get them going in the right direction.

Hertha Berlin

All the Hertha Berlin chiefs want you to do is develop their young players. Fortunately for you, they've got some outstanding ones on the books.

Krzysztof Piatek, Matheus Cunha and Javairo Dilrosun all have star potential, while loanee Matteo Guendouzi will probably be the biggest name on the team sheet during his time in Germany. If you can find the right blend of youth and experience, there could be another giant in the German capital.

Hertha are all about building for the future, so if you're looking for a long-term save to sink your teeth into, you're in the right place.

Aberdeen

Celtic and Rangers steal a lot of the headlines in Scotland. Many fans think it's a two-horse race for the title every year, but Aberdeen want to make it three.

They were one of Europe's top sides during Sir Alex Ferguson's time at the club between 1978 and 1986. The legendary Scot proved himself at the club before going on to manage Manchester United, and you could follow in his path.

Three league titles in eight years, can you match his record?

Toulouse

A run of 17 years in Ligue 1 came to an end last season as a youthful Toulouse side ended the curtailed season rock bottom in the standings.

The immediate task at hand is to get Toulouse back to the top tier, and luckily for you, there's a spine of young players - Bafode Diakite, Kouadio Kone and Kelvin Amian are three of many - who can help turn Toulouse into a real force with the right management.

Getting back into Ligue 1 will be a tough ask for this young team, but the reward for all your hard work could be great.

Lyon

One of the few sides in France genuinely capable of challenging Paris Saint-German for the Ligue 1 title, Lyon are just waiting for somebody to come in and take them to the next level.

The squad is already full of elite talents. The likes of Houssem Aouar, Memphis Depay (sort his contract out) and Moussa Dembele are good enough to play in any team on the planet, they just need the right supporting cast.

With Lyon, you'll have one of Europe's top scouting network, so whether you're looking for a bona-fide star or an up-and-coming youngster to bolster your team, you'll be able to find one.

Sheffield Wednesday

If you're looking for a real challenge, you need to try avoiding relegation with Sheffield Wednesday, who will start the 2020/21 season with a six-point deduction after breaching spending rules.

Your hands are tied in your first season in the Championship and the main goal is just to stay afloat, but Wednesday do have some good players capable of helping you out. With the right management, climbing out of the relegation zone shouldn't be too tough.

If you can survive, the long-term goal is to get back to the big time for the first time since 2000.

Inter Miami

David Beckham's side are new in town and looking to take over.

Inter Miami have recruited incredibly well and have managed to lure big names like Gonzalo Higuain, Blaise Matuidi and Rodolfo Pizarro over to MLS, but team chemistry is way down because everyone's still getting to know each other.

If you can overcome that obstacle, Inter Miami have the potential to be one of the most dominant sides in MLS history.

Bolton

Bolton are a shadow of their former selves. The Trotters were in the top flight in 2012 but now find themselves on the brink of extinction.

Now playing their football in League Two, Bolton dream of climbing their way back into the top flight, but there are some major obstacles to overcome first. The playing squad has been ripped apart to save money, and there's not a lot for you to reinvest in new signings.

They do, however, have some experienced heads who can help you navigate the perils of League Two, and it could be a real riches-to-rags-to-riches story if you play your cards right.

Cavalry FC

FM added the license to the Canadian Premier League last year, so now it's time to dive in and see what all the fuss is about.

Cavalry FC are one of the more high-profile names in the CPL, stemming from their victory over MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019 in the Canadian Championships. This side have some exciting talents like forwards Richard Luca and Marcus Haber and have their sights firmly set on more glory in the near future.

For a real authentic feel, try replicating manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr.'s famous 90 Minutes of Hell system - a constant press designed to completely overwhelm opponents. It's brought great results on the pitch and can do the exact same in FM21.

Vancouver Whitecaps

For more of a head start in Canada, the Whitecaps are a great place to start.

As the team who helped discover current Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, there's a lot of pressure on Vancouver to find another future superstar, but you can't just focus on that. You need to help them get results as well.

Disappointing performances in both the Canadian Championships and MLS have plagued the team in the last few years, but you need to help them move on from Davies and into the future.

Feyenoord

If you're a fan of bringing young stars through your academy, Feyenoord could be the perfect team for you.

They're one of the Eredivisie's most successful sides, but Feyenoord have been away from the trophies for far too long now. Rivals Ajax have been having all the fun, but Feyenoord are just waiting to steal the spotlight back.

Whether you choose to use your academy as a talent pool or simply a profit machine, your task is to find a way to get Feyenoord back on the throne soon.

Brondby

Danish side Brondby are on the cusp of a return to glory, but despite recent improvement, they still haven't won a league title since 2005.

That's not good enough for the side who helped turn Peter Schmeichel and Laudrup brothers Michael and Brian into global superstars. Brondby are used to greatness and they haven't had it for far too long.

Beating rivals Copenhagen is the most important thing, but Brondby also have their sights set on making it back into Europe as well. They made it to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup in 1991 and hope to go one step further soon.

Dynamo Dresden

If you drop down to the third tier of German football, you'll find Dynamo Dresden, who have all the tools needed to become one of the country's top sides.

With a comparatively enormous stadium and fan base, Dynamo already feel like a top side. They have the history as well, having won eight top-flight titles, but all of them came before the Bundesliga era arrived.

There's so much to work with at Dynamo, who are desperately looking for some form of stability. Get them out of the third tier and work your way to the top flight.

Suwon Bluewings

Alongside having perhaps the coolest name in football, Suwon Bluewings also have all the facilities needed to get their hands on the K-League title for the first time since 2008.

Their 44,000-seater stadium is just begging to host some more trophy ceremonies, but you'll have to wrestle the title away from defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who have won the league four years in a row.

There's already some international appeal, with Australian striker Adam Taggart the star of the team and former Whitecaps defender Doneil Henry stealing the show at the back. Add a few more big names and you might just have a competitor on your hands.

Wrexham

The football world has been fascinated by Wrexham ever since the club was bought by American actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who vowed to help the Welsh side back to relevancy.

The Red Dragons are currently down in the National League, so there's a long way to go if you're to get them up to the top division, but isn't that where all the fun comes from? We're all here for the journey.

Wrexham have never made it to the top flight, but Reynolds and McElhenney will be hoping to change that soon.