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If you are unsure about which club to pick for your first save, here are the five best teams to manage in Football Manager 26.
After a long wait that lasted for a year, Football Manager 26 is finally here. Understandably, with the many changes such as the new game engine, player roles, and improved visuals, many are eager to start a brand-new save and create their own football story. If you feel the same way but do not know which teams to pick to start with, do not worry. In this guide, we have listed the five best teams you can manage in Football Manager 26 to prove your managerial prowess.
5 Best Teams You Can Manage in Football Manager 26
Anyone can win the Champions League with a star-studded super team, but the true joy of Football Manager lies in taking over a struggling club and leading it to glory. So, the five teams listed below are either fallen giants or have a restrictive transfer budget that stops them from going for big names. If you think you have the managerial prowess to dominate Europe while facing challenges, take your pick.
1. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- Domestic League: Bundesliga (Germany)
- Starting Transfer Budget (£): 17.3m
- Starting Wage Budget (£): 2.1m
Since the departure of Xabi Alonso and many key players, Bayer Leverkusen has fallen from grace. The magical Bundesliga-winning run in the 22-23 season is long past, and now the club struggles to maintain a hold in the middle of the league table. However, despite that, the club still has a team of young talent mixed with veterans who helped the team reach the top of the table a few years ago.
If you think you can bring the best performance out of the experienced players and develop the young talents to restore the club’s glory days, then this job might be the one for you.
2. Galatasaray
- Domestic League: Süper Lig (Turkey)
- Starting Transfer Budget (£): 46m
- Starting Wage Budget (£): 2.1m
Sitting comfortably at the top of their table in the Turkish league, Galatasaray is not a struggling team when facing their domestic rivals. So, if you take over this prestigious club, your main goal will be progressing and potentially winning the Champions League. The team is strong, with star striker Victor Oshimen leading the frontlines and Leroy Sane holding down the right wing.
Other than that, you get solid options in the midfield and defense as well. However, will that be enough to challenge Europe’s giants, or will you need to build your own team from the ground up? You will have to take charge to find out.
3. Crystal Palace
- Domestic League: Premier League (UK)
- Starting Transfer Budget (£): 39.8m
- Starting Wage Budget (£): 1.8m
Many consider Crystal Palace to be a sleeping giant in the Premier League. They picked up their first trophy in the 24-25 season, and the team has shown immense potential since then, despite the departure of key player Eze. The club currently sits mid-table and is going through a transitional phase, but with the right leadership, it can certainly become a contender for a European spot. If you decide to take the job of managing the Eagles, you will have to provide immediate success as well as develop the youth at the club.
Also Read: Football Manager 26: Best 4-4-2 Fluid Counter-Attack Tactics
4. FC Schalke 04
- Domestic League: 2. Bundesliga (Germany)
- Starting Transfer Budget (£): 13m
- Starting Wage Budget (£): 432k
Speaking of sleeping giants, despite having a rich history in German football, FC Schalke currently sits in the second tier of the Bundesliga. Your job as a manager would be to lead them back to the top tier of German football.
However, that certainly will not be easy, since the current squad does not display the quality needed to compete against big names such as Bayern, RB Leipzig, or Dortmund. Starting a save with Schalke presents you with the opportunity to build a team through scouting and the club’s renowned youth facilities. If you like being the underdog, then this is the club for you.
5. Valencia
- Domestic League: La Liga (Spain)
- Starting Transfer Budget (£): 10.4m
- Starting Wage Budget (£): 1m
In the real world, Valencia is going through quite a bit of turmoil, both financial and political. They sit 18th in La Liga as of now, and are fighting a relegation battle. With all that drama and an incredibly restrictive transfer budget, if you manage to take over the club and then lead them to success, it would be nothing short of a redemption story.
However, to get there, you will have to fight tooth and nail with every resource the club has left. You must strengthen the squad by managing the veteran players and bringing in your own free agents or young blood through scouting and the academy, because history won’t help you.
Read More: Football Manager 26: Best 5-2-1-2 Wing Play Tactics
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