Summary
There are simplytoo many football clubsinFootball Manager 2024for players to scrutinize every single one. Almost every professional football team is included in the game, from the mainstream to the forgotten. As a result, players have a wealth of options to choose from when beginning their campaign.
Whether the focus is on reviving a forgotten giant to new heights or playing it safe with a continuous champion,FM24has it all. It can’t be denied, however, that several clubs trump the majority of selections. Many clubs can offer exciting or unique play opportunities, such as the roster or finances, that can make the team stand out. These teams are a blast to control inFootball Manager 2024, making it clear why so many players lose hours upon hours in this amazing simulation game.
Updated on July 13, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:With the news that Football Manager 25 is officially delayed, more players wouldn’t mind clocking in some extra hours in this amazing simulation game. Football Manager’s allure lies in its detailed gameplay, turning the act of looking at spreadsheets into something fascinating as players fulfill their wildest fantasies of becoming a coach of their favorite soccer team. The choice of which team to control is far from simple, but players can rest assured that most of the usual suspects (along with some surprising mentions) can do a great job of enabling this fantasy and then some.
19Forest Green Rovers FC
A Unique Challenge
The so-called ‘Green Team’ deserves to be considered for the unique challenges and opportunities they bring toFM24as the first carbon-neutral football club. Players who select them will have this carbon neutrality in mind, as well as the Rovers' long history and youthful player base.
They’re not the immediate first choice for many players, but it would be a shame to miss them simply because their stats don’t offer what other teams do. With theright manager, Forest Green Rovers can allow players to learn and adapt to unique challenges that make for an engaging game.
18Manchester City FC
A Tried-and-True Powerhouse
A repeating titan from previousFootball Managergames, Manchester City has one of the highest transfer budgets in the game, at £42 million. Thiswealthy clubhas a lot to offer players. Coming off the back of a Champions League victory, they are a safe bet for new beginners too.
Manchester City might not have quite as famous players as other teams do, and as a result, they do not have central figures to work around in-game. On the flip side, this can be advantageous for players looking to give each member of the team equal attention. This may lead to better overall skills for laterFM24sessions.
17Celtic FC
A Scottish Powerhouse
The Scottish Premiership is a fine place for one to start their managing career, and there aren’t many better options than the two biggest teams in the league. It can be a challenge to work around a threadbare budget and try to hire recruits who aren’t star-studded names, but players who do a great job of scouting underrated talent can turn Celtic into a powerhouse.
The pressure of winning most games because of their elevated status can make things challenging to be a Celtic manager, but it’s a great way for players to build up the lore surrounding their manager before moving on to the big leagues.
16Atalanta
Full Of Great Attacking Talent
Serie A is one of the most competitive and entertaining leagues around right now. After Juventus' one-sided dominance and the decline of the Milan teams led to the league losing a lot of steam, fans are finally glad to see the same level of competitive football return to the league once again. Not only has this led to a resurgence of both Inter and AC Milan, but other well-managed teams like Atalanta have made a name for themselves both nationally and all across Europe.
There’s no denying that the team still needs a final push for its attack to yield more silverware, and this is where the player can step in. The fantasy of turning what used to be a mid-table team into one of Europe’s strongest competitors is something that fans can’t get enough of, and the amazing talent of Atalanta’s attack can make for some interesting matches as players put it all on the line to win the League and any other trophies they can get their hands on.
15Inter Milan
Serie A Is Competitive And A Joy To Play In
One of the most historically significant clubs in European football, Inter Milan was stuck in a rut for the longest time before reaching the heights it was destined for once again. Winning the league in a Serie A that has become ridiculously competitive is no mean feat, which is why Inter Milan can be a fascinating prospect to manage if players want to reach new heights.
Some shrewd transfers will be required for players to win silverware, but financially savvy managers who can work well with a gifted squad need only iron out some wrinkles before their version of Inter Milan becomes a powerhouse in Europe that will make every fan quake in their boots.
14SL Benfica
Tons of Potential
Benfica is one of Portugal’s three great clubs, a hotbed for natural talent that would-be managers can take advantage of inFM24. Darwin Nunez, alongside future superstars like Goncalo Ramos and Antonio Silva, means that performance in the top leagues will never be an issue.
Alongside strong finances (although these aren’t as high as other dominating clubs), Benfica offers a lot of potential for a club that has yet to tackle the titanic challenge of the Champions League to the best of its ability. The strength of the team may seem to dwindle in Europe, but with the right manager,they could be one of the best choicesaround.
13Rushall Olympic
A Promising Newcomer
Fresh-faced newcomerstoFootball Manager, Rushall Olympic’s first-ever season in the 6th tier of football earned them a spot in the game and, by extension, a new team for players to strategize with. For players looking for new rosters and new experiences, Rushall is one of the best newcomers to experiment with.
Playing at such an introductory level inFM24means that players might not necessarily get the strongest players from the offset, or the highest spending power given the low-league status of Rushall initially. However, this team can be an excellent choice for players seeking to improve their skills within the safety net of lower-league football.
12Atletico Madrid
A Star Player and High Budget
In a league where most people consider Barcelona and Real Madrid to be the two top dogs, it’s impressive to see that Atletico Madrid has been holding its own all this time. This is no easy task, given that their finances are nowhere near as high as the other two teams, with a lot of talent preferring to move to bigger clubs instead of sticking around and becoming legends at Atletico.
However, that shouldn’t stop players from checking out this team and building a legacy for this team that will last for years and years. Dethroning the powerful duo is no easy task, but there areFootball Managerplayers who choose teams that are downright torturous to deal with. In comparison, Atletico Madrid is easily one of thebest teams inFM24that fans can stick with to ensure a continuous stream of success.
11Inter Miami
The Major League Soccer of the USA is an unusual system that gives teams methods of player registration, drafting, and league victories that are unheard of in Europe. Because of this, Inter Miami, whilst a giant among the franchises of MLS, is something of a challenge if playing outside this system.
Despite these concerns, Inter Miami has several powerful factors in its favor. Firstly, a high budget gives managers freedom of strategy when playingFM24.Secondly, Inter Miami boasts one of the greatest players of all time:Lionel Messi. For both veteran managers and new players, Inter Miami can perform with high quality.
10Newcastle United
High Risk, High Reward
Newcastle’s change of ownership has brought them a new source of income that rivals many of the biggest clubs in the sport. In the game, this can allow players to build around both the money and a great squad to create a team thatmolds easily to most playstyles.
Newcastle is still, however, a club with ample room to grow. This can present both a risk and an opportunity. With a multitude of rich clubs competing for only one title, The Premier League might not be an easy award for Newcastle managers, but with one of the most famous clubs in England, it still offers a great shot.
