Copyright GIVEMESPORT
The return of Football Manager after a two-year absence has fans champing at the bit to get in the desktop dugout and flex their muscles against the top managers in the world. But the break has seen women's football added to the franchise for the first time, opening the door to a host of invigorating saves to keep you occupied during the somewhat dreaded real-life international break. That said, which teams are the best to manage, given the various clubs on offer for players? We have assessed and ranked the top team picks for FM 26 managers, including the men's and women's games and leagues from around the world. Do you want to wage war with Pep Guardiola in the Premier League? Or is the prospect of guiding a minnow from non-league obscurity and into world dominance your focus? You can get your hands on the game on November 4 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Ranking Factors The Challenge (What situation are you encountering?) — A fallen giant? A minnow to build? Financial constraints? League/Nation — One of the biggest in England? Women's football? Going European or global? The Entertainment (How engrossing will managing said club be?) — Under immediate pressure? Familiar with the squad and the club's history? Long-Term Gameplay (Will you still be loading this save by this time next year?) — Eyeing back-to-back promotions, creating a dynasty, overseeing youth players' development. 11 10 Durham Women Women's football makes its long-awaited debut in FM 26, including the Barclays Women's Super League 2. There are compelling stories of gamers who have spent years managing non-league clubs and turning them into the Barcelona of English football. If that's the goal for any prospective FM coach looking at the women's game, then Durham Women are the team to choose. With limited resources and no experience in the Super League top-flight, it's a mission that will be overwhelmingly satisfying if promotion turns into major trophy success. Its northeast location means you prepare for local tussles with Sunderland and Newcastle, and that makes this story even more fulfilling. Durham are currently mid-table in WSL 2, so play-offs may be the ambition on your desktop and amongst Adam Furness' Wildcats in real life. 9 Manchester United Can you bring the glory days again and get the backing of The Stretford End? As of October 2025, seven managers have tried since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, but to no avail. But this is a new era at Manchester United, which is why, of all of Europe's sleeping giants, the Red Devils are the most challenging to take on. To turn the tide, you are, understandably, under immense pressure from the get-go and tasked with continuing to rebuild a flawed squad. But there are gems to help you along the way, such as Leny Yoro, who has the highest potential of any FM wonderkid in this year's game. There are also world-class stars such as Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha at your disposal, but also several underperformers on large wages. Given the need to be an instant success, it's also essential that you continue to follow the club's youth tradition and the likes of JJ Gabriel are obvious academy starlets to turn to. This is all about United's revival as a European powerhouse and perhaps becoming the next Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby. A step-by-step approach starts with a top four challenge in your debut campaign. 8 Sheffield Wednesday Another one of England's big guns who have fallen to the wayside over the years is Sheffield Wednesday, who were placed into administration in October. Everything needs addressing at Hillsborough with little to no money, meaning you'll have to be clever about managing the squad and plan ahead. The Owls are relegation candidates, so survival is first on the agenda, while doing so with a squad that has glaring problems due to chairman Dejphon Chansiri's failure to pay wages. But the old guard, such as skipper Barry Bannan, are ones to lean on for experience ahead of an almighty challenge. Football Manager's blog advises managers to have a transfer shortlist ready by January, and to focus on athletic full-backs. Using the loan market will be key, as Wednesday did by signing Harry Amass from Manchester United in the summer. The Hillsborough faithful deserve to see their club put back on track and, beyond that, propelled back into the big time. It won't be easy and won't be for the faint-hearted. 7 Girondins de Bordeaux Rebuilding is what has FM players glued to their keyboards each year, and that will be the sole purpose of taking over Bordeaux. No longer are Les Marines et Blanc competing in Ligue 1 and challenging for Europe; they find themselves way down the French lower tiers and it will take years before they are back on the grand stage. There is no Andy Carroll for those wondering, as he's back in England with Dagenham & Redbridge, and their current crop aren't exactly flourishing in the Championnat National 2 after an administrative double relegation in 2024. Putting down promotion targets is a tip to take on board if you do wish to try the bold Bordeaux quest. Focusing the rebuild on academy prospects is a good way to kickstart your reign, and, of course, the club's facilities are much superior to those of their opponents in the lower division. 6 Seattle Sounders Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami has helped the MLS grow towards rivalling the top leagues in world football. Viewership figures are improving season after season, and teams are luring some of Europe's top talent to the United States. While there might be an appeal to take charge of a club with such a household name, the most intriguing MLS club may well be the Seattle Sounders. The Rave Green is a franchise deeply embedded in the city, and as such, you'll feel a responsibility to make their fans proud. There is risk in taking over the Sounders because their status as one of the most respected teams in the country means you must deliver and anything less than finishing in the higher end of the table feels like a failure. Just make sure Danny Musovski is on song up top and Albert Rusnak is controlling proceedings from the middle of the park. 5 Arsenal Women It's been six years since Arsenal won the Women's Super League title, and they have been chasing Chelsea, which has become the league's dominant force. If you want to get to grips with the debuting women's game, then the Gunners are an ideal pick due to their short and long-term gameplay potential. They have a strong squad to work with, and this depth can allow you to try and compete for top prizes both domestically and in Europe. A decent transfer budget allows you to dip into the market for potential improvements, although you should be placing your faith in Michelle Agyemang once her loan at Brighton expires. Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo will be vital to keep on board in the effort to bring the Super League title back to North London. Adding another Champions League to the one won back in 2007 should be the number one desire. 4 Sunderland Sunderland are the top Premier League pick for those wanting a short-term fix with FM 26 until the real beautiful game becomes too much of a distraction later this season. But for gamers willing to put the work in and enjoy a long-term save, the Black Cats' current situation is ideal. Just returning to the top-flight, your job is to keep the red and whites up, and based on Regis Le Bris' start to the campaign, it's extremely doable. A squad that has been backed with some stellar signings, including Granit Xhaka, and a youth system that has developed names such as Chris Rigg, gives you the base point to try and make history in the long run. Attack, attack, attack should ideally be your philosophy to excite one of the most celebrated set of supporters in the country. It will feel that much better to lead the Wearside outfit to major success at the expense of their rich neighbours, Newcastle United. 3 AFC Wimbledon There is something gratifying about embarking on an underdog story on Football Manager, which sees you guide a club from the lower divisions and into the elite of domestic or even European football. Clubs such as Wrexham are attempting to do so in real life but with the financial backing of two Hollywood actors. But if you decide to take over AFC Wimbledon, it gives you the opportunity to reward a proper fan club who are one of English football's most compelling stories. Founded in 2002, they have a passionate fanbase who built the club themselves, and on FM26, supporters and the higher-ups value integrity, hard work, and homegrown talent. Currently battling it out in EFL League One, you'll start with a limited budget, a small stadium and modest players, although there are some talented members of the Dons' squad. Danilo Orsi, Matty Stevens and the on-loan Nathan Bishop are three who could come in handy. Taking to the Cherry Red Records Stadium's dugout, you'll also slyly be looking to do what fierce rivals MK Dons have failed to do by reaching the Premier League. This is a perfect save if you want emotional investment with a long-term reward. 2 Union Berlin As story-driven FM 26 saves come, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining ride than that of Union Berlin, who have been on the rise in recent years. The Iron Ones, like Wimbledon, are rooted in fan culture, and there isn't anything better than becoming the hero of your club's support. The task for the German outfit is to keep the fairytale story going while also pursuing long-term sustainability. It's a moneyball-style save with a limited budget, meaning scouting should be a priority in a league that is among the most competitive in Europe.
