5 Best Teams in Football Manager 2024

With Football Manager 2024 now active for play, all we can think of is how to go up the leagues, scooping up all the trophies. As usual, the series presents tons of football teams, so you must first think of which team to manage. While it’s easy to go with your favorite club or the local team you’re always cheering for, only the best teams can steer you to instant glory. Notably, the fans' favorite teams in football history may also not be the most thrilling teams to play with when it comes to Football Manager.

The series carries a wide selection of leagues and clubs, including the Saudi Arabian League. For fans who love CR7, it sounds quite alluring to control the star, who was signed to Al-Nassr in December 2022. Unfortunately, most teams in the Saudi Arabian League will not be playable on FM24, but don’t worry about that yet. We’ve done all the homework for you, and here’s an outline of the best teams in Football Manager 2024 that have captured every player’s attention.

5. Sunderland

If you believe in molding a team from a young squad and pushing it to new heights, you can never go wrong with Sunderland. From the high-value Dan Neil to Trai Hume and Jack Clarke, Sunderland provides a fascinating breed of talent for the Sky Bet Championship in England. You can still do a few transfers and signings once you take over. If you want to maintain the young squad vibe, throw your eyes on the wonderkids like Bukayo Saka, 21, of Arsenal, or Jude Bellingham, 20, of Real Madrid.

With only one win in their last five games in the Championship before the November break, fans have every reason to feel like Tony Mowbray isn’t relatively steady on the wheels. He had been making good progress since taking over as head coach in August 2022. However, the Black Cats could use a new gaffer to take them back to their golden old days. It’s an enchanting squad to start your saves with on Football Manager 2024, so why not give it a try? 

4. AFC Ajax

These Dutch giants are known for their dominance in the Eredivisie league in the Netherlands, but that’s not all. Ajax is also one of the wealthiest clubs in Football Manager 2024 in the Eredivisie League. However, the club isn't in the top 10 in the Dutch league, and their acclaim seems to be taking a nosedive. Their home defeat by Brighton in the Europa League perhaps confirms that Ajax needs a rebuild away from Maurice Steijn.

Understandably, the club lost a few of its young, energetic stars. Jurrien Timber and Calvin Bassey left Ajax’s center-back lineup. At the same time, Mohamed Daramy was loaned to rejoin his former club, FC Copenhagen. In any case, it’s an excellent team to kickstart your FM24. Getting Ajax back on its heels with a budget is easy, especially now that you can leverage negative transfer budgets in FM24. But do you really need that for a club that ranks among the richest? Your guess is as good as mine. Any true football manager will quickly get Ajax on its feet with only a few strategic signings.

3. Inter Miami

Football managers in FM23 are allowed to feel Inter Miami is below the bar, but the sentiments could differ for Football Manager 2024. Reason? The GOAT, Lionel Messi, is with Inter Miami, and at 36, he’s inarguably a resource every team manager desires. And the catch? The Intermiami Forward player is the captain you will work with to take the club to the top of the MSL League. 

The Inter Miami squad comprises a mix of young and old talents. The team includes Sergio Busquets, 35, Jordi Alba, 31, David Ruiz, 19, and Benjamin Cremaschi, 18. On the other hand, Messi reunites with his former teammates at FC Barcelona as they gear up to take Inter Miami to Barca’s highs. The club offers a decent talent pool that shouldn't incentivize you to think of transfers in your early FM24 management.

2. Manchester United

Erik Ten Hag says he’s uncomfortable with Manchester United’s lineup this season. It's therefore time you take over and relinquish the team's current losses. With stars like Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Sancho, you only need to add a little strategy and tame Manchester United to its glorious days with Sir Alex Furgerson. 

From Ole Gunnar to Ralf Rangnick and now Erik Ten Hag, the once-dominant English club has been stuck with dispensable management for a decade now. Having earned the Premier League cup with Sir Alex, a good set of tactical knowledge and adaptability is all you need to awaken the Red Devils. The club’s squad is also another possible pain point, which you should explore by letting go of some expendable players. That way, you can make a few good signings to bolster the team, earn fans' love, and dominate the league. And that’s not difficult to achieve in FM24 for any seasoned player in the Football Manager series.

1. FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona never misses any top football club listings, including the best teams in Football Manager 2024. Choosing the team provides you with plenty of talent at your disposal. Another additional significance of his choice is that the team doesn't have a track record of failure. All you need is the confidence to manage the giant that has won 77 trophies, including 27 La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League. 

Even after Lionel Messi’s departure, Xavi Hernandez maintains Barcelona’s strong form with captain Sergi Roberto. Other remarkable talents you will control with FC Barcelona include the consummate Lewandowski, Marc Andre, Pedri, Jules Kounde, and Frenkie De Jong. Do you believe you can maintain the dominance that Xavi Hernandez asserts? Then FC Barcelona is certainly the team you should be looking into for Football Manager 2024.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our list of the best teams in Football Manager 2024? What teams do you think should have been on this list? Let us know here on our socials.