We have just passed the one-month Ponta de Lança anniversary, and marked the occasion by reaching the 1,000th subscriber milestone; I have thoroughly enjoyed returning to writing beyond 280 characters, and would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks for subscribing and supporting my writing.

Even though all of my posts are free, some subscribers have kindly supported my writing financially as paid subscribers, and I am honestly blown away by your generosity.

10 Tips to improve at Football Manager 2024

Starting with this post, I intend to thank paid subscribers for supporting my writing with interactive monthly premium posts where readers are welcome to share any questions or challenges related to their saves, tactics, player development, squad management, and space for future content requests.

As a smaller community, I will be able to respond directly or in more detail in future content.

Content will automatically be accessible for all free subscribers in two weeks.

Let me begin by sharing my top 10 tips to improve at Football Manager 2024, to stimulate ideas.

1. Watch & engage with real-life football

Football Manager 2024 is - in my opinion - the most realistic simulation of real-life football in any computer game on the market.

Viewing Football Manager 2024 through the lens of real football allows you to navigate and overcome various challenges and pitfalls.

Videogamification can lead to a search for elaborate, game-breaking super-tactics or unnecessary concerns about whether certain tactics “work” with the latest match engine or patch.

Building a capable squad, a clear and balanced tactical approach, and effective squad management will always win out in the long run.

Watch football, play football, engage with quality - I repeat, quality - football writing, and gradually factor these into your gameplay.

2. Explore your favourite Tactical Styles

As you engage with real-life football, you will most likely naturally start to identify with certain tactical styles: efficient positional football, expressive, creative football, quick transitional sides, or particular formations, etc.

My advice is to focus on exploring football you identify with in greater depth and gradually build your understanding; watching games, engaging with high-quality content, and starting to experiment in your own Football Manager save.

3. Cherry-pick ready-made squads

Pick teams with squads capable of playing the type of football you intend to play at an acceptable level.

Picking a team capable of playing the football you intend to play allows you to focus on your tactical approach without concern for not having the right players.

If you want to play intense pressing, possession football, pick a squad with hard-working, technical, and intelligent players; if you’re going to play a back-5, choose a team with good centre backs and wingbacks.

As you become more confident over time, by all means, take on more adventurous challenges, but establish the basics first.

4. Keep it Simple

Let me give the example of this 3-4-2-1 with:

• Balanced mentality

• Support duties

• No team instructions

• No complicated player roles

Looks boring?

This team defends in a compact medium block, attacks in a clean 3-2-5, has a deep playmaker orchestrating, and balances possession with transitions

When we look ‘beneath the hood’ you will see Individual Mentalities - in the Player Instructions screen - perfectly balanced across the team, between attack and defence.

A simple tactical approach offers huge returns; this team would most likely comfortably outperform expectations.

You can easily apply this simple approach using any formation, experiment over time using more adventurous roles and duties, and add team instructions to build your desired style of play.

5. Avoid Obsessing over Minutiae

Football Manager is full of small decisions, barely observable within the Match Engine.

Far and away, the most common question I am asked about Football Manager tactics is, “PIs?” which is rarely more than my letting attackers roam from position; of course, underwhelming to anybody searching for something profound.

My advice is to avoid obsessing over the minutiae and focus on the big picture:

• Developing an elite squad

• Managing the squad effectively

• Simple and balanced tactics

The rest is just noise.

6. Delegate

In my entire Football Manager 2024 experience, I don’t think I have ever done a single:

• Press conference

• Team talk

• Opposition instruction

• Non-Coaching Staff Contract

Training is balanced.

Instead, focus energy on the ‘big picture’:

• Developing an elite squad

• Managing the squad effectively

• Simple and balanced tactics

7. Game Time

Prioritise developing a critical mass of match experience to develop your ideas and learn first-hand how the match engine functions.

I notice two common mistakes:

1. Going on Holiday (in game!)

   • Holidaying for a season propagates the reductive view that a tactic works or doesn’t work and prevents players from gaining necessary match experience to develop ideas and learn for themselves.

   • Of course, I caveat this by saying this may be the way you enjoy playing, in which case, go right ahead and enjoy your holiday.

2. Paralysis by analysis

   • Apply what you have learned and try it out immediately. Don’t waste time asking others, “Will this work?”. There is ultimately one way to find out. You will be able to address many issues directly and get much more out of asking for help with specific challenges you cannot resolve.

That is not to say you need to watch full matches; extended highlights are a good place to start for beginners, and then key highlights as you get more confident.

8. Trial & Error

Success in Football Manager 2024 - above all else - requires perseverance; it takes time to develop your style and find your groove.

9. Diversify

As you become confident with the style of football you identify with, gradually experiment by playing with different styles & systems to broaden your skill set.

I would suggest either a new style or a new shape, rather than changing too much at once.

For example, if you feel confident with the medium block 3-4-2-1, then try a 4-2-3-1 or stick with the 3-4-2-1, with either pressing and possession, or a counter-attacking low block.

Gradually becoming comfortable with different styles will develop your skill set and experience, and you can add more and more over time.

10. Write

Writing brings clarity.

Explaining a complex subject simply strengthens your own understanding; articulating your tactical ideas crystallizes them in your mind and naturally forces you to challenge your own opinions.

Writing also creates a strong feedback loop as readers may challenge your ideas or offer suggestions.

Personally, writing gives Football Manager 2024 a new dimension - verging on fan-fiction - developing players from wonderkids to legends and bringing various tactical ideas to life.

Thank you!

Thank you very much - as always - for reading and supporting my content.

This post intends to thank paid subscribers for supporting my writing and offer an interactive premium space where readers are welcome to share any questions or challenges related to their saves, tactics, player development, squad management, and space for future content requests.

As a smaller community, I will be able to respond directly or in more detail in future posts.