3 Forgotten FM Tips for Returning Players: Rebooting My Career After 10 Years Away

The Digital Escape I Didn’t Plan For

I didn’t mean to quit football management. But watching Manchester United unravel in real life? That was the final straw. So yes — I booted up FM24 after ten years of silence. The last time I saved a file was during the glory days of Zlatan and Rooney. Now? The game’s evolved faster than my fitness routine.

I opened a new save not as a fan, but as a tactician with a data model in hand and a samba drum in my heart.

Why This Isn’t Just Another “Buy Young” Run

Let’s be honest: most returning players go straight for the youth academy grind. ‘Buy small talent,’ they say — like it’s still 2012. But if you’re jumping back into FM after years away, you’re not here for nostalgia.

You’re here for control — and surprise.

So instead of flooding your squad with unknown U16s from Portugal’s lower leagues (which always get injured anyway), focus on value over vanity. Use Opta data to target players who are underpriced due to poor reputation or limited appearances — not because they’re bad.

The Hidden Power of Defensive Midfielders (Yes, Really)

Ten years ago, we all wanted fancy box-to-box engines with perfect passing stats. Today? The real weapon is the defensive midfielder who doesn’t look flashy but stops everything before it starts.

In my latest save at Leeds United (yes, again), I built an entire system around low-block efficiency using one player: Mateo Kovacic-style deep-lying playmakers with high pressing but low workload ratings.

Why? Because modern FM treats defensive midfielders like X-factor variables — not just defenders who don’t score goals. Use their positioning + anticipation scores wisely; they’re cheaper than stars and infinitely more durable.

My Final Advice: Trust Your Instincts—But Test Them First

The beauty of returning after time away? You bring fresh eyes… and old habits die hard.

I once tried to use a 4-3-3 diamond because ‘it worked in FMM18’. Spoiler: it didn’t work now. Not even close.

So test every setup — even if it feels familiar — against your own xG model outputs first.

And yes… buy some young Brazilians too. It’s only fair.