Football Manager 2024 News

The arrival of the FM24 Main Data Update means it’s time to kick-off your newest career.

Squads around the world have been updated, including recent transfer moves and Current Ability changes for thousands of players based on their real-life performances since FM24’s launch.

We’ve dived into the data to identify 12 talents whose recent improvements you should be maximising in FM24.

[h2]OSCAR BOBB, MANCHESTER CITY[/h2]
Manchester City’s newest Norwegian superstar has been rewarded for his first team breakthrough with one of the biggest Current Ability boosts in England’s top-flight.

Bobb has shown great versatility across the forward line since his league debut in September, leading to improvements to his Flair, Composure and Team Work Attributes.

The 20-year-old isn’t the only City star to see their Current Ability rise. Jérémy Doku’s bright start to life in England has been rewarded, as have the performances of Rico Lewis and Phil Foden.



[h2]VICTOR BONIFACE, BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN[/h2]
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have been the talk of the footballing world this season thanks to their incredible unbeaten run and their exciting style of play under Xabi Alonso.

Crucial to their success has been striker Victor Boniface, who recorded 10 goals and seven assists in his first 16 Bundesliga appearances.

In addition to being an imposing natural finisher, the Nigerian has proved to be a real team player since moving from Belgium. With upgrades to many of his key Attributes, this 23-year-old looks primed to star for many of you in the seasons to come.



[h2]JACK HINSHELWOOD, BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION[/h2]
Just as they did in FM23, Brighton & Hove Albion have got a breakthrough star with a significant upgrade in the Main Data Update.

Jack Hinshelwood made his Seagulls debut at the tail end of last season but has become a regular this campaign, his ability to play as either a full-back or a defensive midfielder proving very useful to Roberto De Zerbi’s style of play.

The 18-year-old has also contributed three goals and that combination of technical ability and mental maturity has seen his reputation really grow.

Some of Hinshelwood’s teammates are also worth a scout following this update, most notably Jan Paul van Hecke and Billy Gilmour, who have had their best seasons yet in a Brighton shirt.



[h2]JOBE BELLINGHAM, SUNDERLAND[/h2]
As his brother has smashed all expectations on the game’s biggest stage, Jobe Bellingham has made huge strides himself this season.

Despite only turning 18 last September, Jobe has established himself as a regular starter for Sunderland, scoring five goals from midfield.

He still has tremendous growth potential but his contributions to Sunderland’s young team have not gone unnoticed and that’s why he’s got big bumps to several Attributes, including his Bravery, Finishing, Off the Ball and Composure. Given what we know about his brother’s development, we suspect a lot more people will be keeping an eye on Jobe moving forward.



[h2]MICHAEL KAYODE, FIORENTINA[/h2]
Michael Kayode has already been signed more than 100,000 times in FM24* and it’s no surprise – he’s got all the tools to be an elite Full-Back with great pace, physicality and crossing ability.

We expect that transfer tally to rise even further though following the teenager’s breakthrough to Fiorentina’s first team. He’s made 16 Serie A appearances so far, evenly split between starts and substitute cameos, and he’s looked like he could be the world-class defender our researchers are tipping him to be.

Now even stronger from the start of your next career, he’s got the potential to be the star of your defence for a long, long time.



[h2]ALEKSANDAR PAVLOVIĆ, FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN[/h2]
Someone else we expect to see even more interest in following the latest update will be young defensive midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović.

The teenager was promoted to the FC Bayern first-team squad after impressive in pre-season and he’s made a solid impact so far, recording two goals and two assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances.

While he’s still not quite the full package, he’s got enormous potential and looks to have all the makings of another homegrown midfield superstar for the Bavarian giants.

[h2]JONNY ROWE, NORWICH CITY[/h2]
It’s been a somewhat mixed campaign for Norwich City but their brightest spark has been winger Jonny Rowe.

Rowe had been on the fringes of the first-team squad for the last couple of seasons, showing flashes of his ability in a handful of substitute appearances. This season he’s really stepped up under David Wagner, getting a lot of starts and showing exactly what he’s capable off.

He’s always had great Pace and Dribbling but Rowe has added end product this campaign, firing home 12 goals in 28 Sky Bet Championship games. He’s also made his way into the England Under-21 squad and seems to be a player with a very bright future ahead of him.



[h2]ALI AL-HAMADI, IPSWICH TOWN[/h2]
The only player on this list that moved in the January transfer window, striker Ali Al-Hamadi swapped AFC Wimbledon for Sky Bet Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town.

Al-Hamadi delighted the Dons fans at the end of last season with his bright start to life at Plough Lane and continued strongly in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 13 times in Sky Bet League Two to put AFC Wimbledon on the outskirts of the play-off places.

Those efforts caught the attention of both Ipswich’s recruitment team and our researchers. The Iraq international has had a big upgrade to his Current Ability in FM24 and in real life he’s being tasked with adding more firepower to Ipswich’s bid for back-to-back promotions.



[h2]CAMERON PUERTAS, UNION SAINT-GILLOISE[/h2]
Union Saint-Gilloise have been a cut above in Belgium this season and key to their table-topping success has been Cameron Puertas.

A hard-working, tough-tackling midfielder, Puertas has proven to be one of the Jupiler Pro League’s most creative players this season. He’s got five goals and 14 assists in 25 league games and a total of 24 goal contributions across all competitions.

There’s already reportedly interest from France in Puertas’ services for next season, while in FM24 his Current Ability rise makes him a great value option for your latest career.



[h2]SAMMIE SZMODICS, BLACKBURN ROVERS[/h2]
Not many people would have picked Sammie Szmodics as their Sky Bet Championship top scorer at the start of this season but he has been fantastic for Blackburn Rovers.

Szmodics had got into double digits at his previous clubs Colchester United and Peterborough United but he’d never done it in England’s second tier. He has now though and his 17-goal haul is a huge factor in the Rovers being clear of the relegation places.

In addition to tweaks to his Finishing and Long Shots Attributes, where you’ll really notice Szmodics’ improvements in this Data Update are in his Natural Fitness, Stamina, and Leadership. A well-rounded attacking midfielder, the Irish international could be a key signing for many of you in the coming months.

[h2]MATHIAS KVISTGAARDEN, BRONDBY[/h2]
While Roony Bardghji has been getting all the headlines this season, it’s another winger from the Danish Superliga that’s had a big jump in the FM24 Main Data Update.

Mathias Kvistgaarden caught fire at the end last season and he’s continued that form into this campaign. The 21-year-old, who can play on either wing or up front, has started every league game in 2023/24 for Brondby, racking up five goals and seven assists in the process.

He seems to be a player that’s living up to his sizeable potential and we expect that you’ll become big fans of him in your latest careers.



[h2]APOSTOLOS STAMATELOPOULOS, NEWCASTLE JETS[/h2]
We’re ending this list with a player you might not have heard of before.

Prior to this season, 24-year-old striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos had split his career between his native Australia and Greece.
He returned to Australia last summer and he’s been a different animal ever since. He’s scored 13 times in 15 A League Men games for the Newcastle Jets, a rate of one goal every 94 minutes and enough to make him the division’s joint top-scorer.

Now with 13 Off the Ball and improved Anticipation, Strength and First Touch Attributes, Stamatelopoulos could well be a great signing for many of you in the near future.

These 12 talents stood out to us but there are tens of thousands of other players that have earned upgrades across the footballing world in the FM24 Main Data Update. We look forward to seeing you discover them in your latest careers.

*Data from FM24 (PC/Mac) users only.

Football Manager 2024’s Main Data Update* is now live across all platforms**.

This initial refresh features more than six million data changes and includes updated squads following the most recent transfer window. It also contains changes to the Current Ability ratings and Attributes to tens of thousands of players based on their real-world performances since FM24’s launch.

Rosters for certain licensed leagues whose seasons run to the calendar year will only be reflective up until the end of the 2023 season and will not include incoming and outgoing transfers made for 2024.

The Main Data Update also contains fixes and improvements across multiple areas of the game. All gameplay adjustments will take effect in current careers, although you will need to begin a new save game to take advantage of the data changes.

Changes to the PC/Mac in the 24.3 update include (but are not limited to):

• General stability and crash fixes
  
• Data and competition updates
  
• Fixed exploit where AI clubs accepted human manager’s transfer offers that were substantially lower than the player’s market value
  
• Fixed issue where negative budgets were given to clubs even when they are performing well financially
  
• Tweaks to how players are scouted that will ensure more Recommendations and Near Matches are generated in Recruitment Focuses
  
• Fixed issue to adjust rain and snow particles in matches
  
• Fixed issue where Spanish clubs were registering low squad sizes
  
• Fixed an issue where Turkish clubs weren't registering full squad on registration deadline day
  
• [Pre-Game Editor] Fixed issue where player transfers would not take effect in Real World mode
  
• [Pre-Game Editor] Fixed issue where female non-players can't be added to database
  

A more detailed FM24 (PC/Mac) changelis is available on our community forums.

Further changelists for FM24 Console (Xbox/PS5), FM24 Touch (Apple Arcade/Nintendo Switch™) and FM24 Mobile (Netflix) are also available.

Most updates of this nature should download automatically. If yours doesn’t, please consult our dedicated FAQs page.

*A further data update will follow in the coming weeks, covering transfers and player data changes from later closing transfer windows, including MLS.
**Timings of the update’s launch may vary between platforms.

Major League Soccer (MLS), North American’s leading football league, was initially formed back in 1994.

Their first season began in 1996 with a total of 10 teams. Since then, the league has continued to grow, and following the arrival of St Louis City SC, it currently boasts 29 clubs.

MLS is quite a unique league with some rules that may be unfamiliar to those who normally focus their Football Manager careers in the European leagues. Here’s a guide to help familiarise yourself with how MLS works and to give you the tools to lead your team to MLS Cup glory in FM24.

[h2]LEAGUE FORMAT[/h2]

The 2024 MLS season will see 29 teams compete for title glory, with 14 teams calling the Eastern Conference home. The remaining 15 teams are in the Western Conference, with all of the league’s clubs playing 34 games across the regular season.

The top seven teams from each conference automatically qualify for the first round of the playoffs, while the eighth and ninth teams from each conference battle it out in a one-off Wild Card match to make it to the first round. Playoff matches from the first round onwards are played in a best-of-three matches format, with it all building to the MLS Cup Final in early December.

There are several other knockout competitions your team may feature in whilst managing the other side of the Atlantic, including the US Cup, North American Champions Cup and Leagues Cup.

[h2]SQUAD BUILDING[/h2]

As with all FM24 careers, building your squad is just as important as perfecting your tactics. This is particularly true in MLS.

The most important thing to bear in mind when putting your squad together is that you must comply with the league’s salary cap. For the 2024 season, this is $5.7m. By making the most of the varying contract options available to you (yes, there’s more than one…), you should be on track to stay within the cap.



There are two main parts to your roster – ‘On Budget’ applies to any contracts that count towards your salary cap and ‘Off Budget’ are contracts that that don’t.

On-budget contract options include:

• Senior contracts are the standard professional contracts available in North America
  
• Designated Player (DP) contracts can only be awarded to the highest-paid players in your squad
  
• High-potential younger players can be signed to either Young Designated Player (YDP) or U22 Initiative Contracts – these contracts don’t impact the salary cap as much as a normal Designated Player contract
  

While off-budget options include:

• Generation Adidas (GA) are contracts offered by the league themselves to the best prospects that come through the MLS SuperDraft from college, but these are entry-level contracts and cannot be renewed
  
• MLS Reserve (RES) contracts are for players new to the league, and these can only be given to those under the age of 25
  
• To simplify things a little bit in Football Manager, we have added another type of contract – Senior Minimum Salary (SMS). SMS are the only contract type that can be on either On/Off budget and this is determined based on the available slots
  
• The final type of cap-free players are Homegrown players, who have progressed from your academy. Home-grown players who are on either Full-Time, Senior Minimum Salary, or Reserve contracts and will always be off-budget during their initial contract
  

You need to submit your initial roster in February just before the first game of the season. You cannot have more than 30 players and, of those, no more than 20 can be ‘Senior’ players (this includes Designated Players). The 20 ‘Senior’ players will contribute towards your Salary Cap, with the other 10 players (maximum of six Reserves plus Generation Adidas and some on Senior Minimum Salary) considered ‘off-budget’.

You can amend your roster throughout the season. The advantage of this is that if you have a player who is expected to be out for at least six regular season games, you can put them on the Disabled List. If you have any players who are going to be out of action for the rest of the season, they can be added to the Season Injury List. At the end of September, you will have to submit a final Roster list and at this point, the roster will be frozen and no further changes can be made.

The advantage of doing either of these things is freeing up a slot on the roster to sign a replacement for the injured player. However, this does not free up any cap space, so that’s something you will need to consider before signing any replacements.

MLS is well-known for its big-name international imports over the years, but how many can you have in your squad in FM24?

Well, each club has eight International slots by default. The slots can be traded though (more on trades later), so you can experiment with your strategy.

The rules are slightly different for MLS’ three Canadian clubs– Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and CF Montreal. Each club has 11 International slots while they also must have a minimum of three Canadians in their squad.

Getting this balance right is essential to staying within the rules – do you want a smaller squad with a few more expensive names or a bigger squad with cheaper players that allows you to rotate and experiment more?

[h2]TRADES AND TRANSFERS[/h2]

Trading in MLS is fun. If the players you are trading are of a similar level, then you may be able to trade them without any additional extras. However, it may be the case that one side of the equation needs to offer a little more to secure the trade.

In addition to players, you can also trade the following:

• General Allocation Money (GAM)
  
• Draft Allocation
  
• Player Rights
  
• International Slots
  

Player rights might be a new concept to some but these can be a useful part of the trading process.

Essentially, these rights are the contractual abilities for a player to play in the league. In some instances, such as if a player leaves you on a free transfer or they came through your academy, you can hold onto their rights even when they move to another club.

Having the ability to add these to a draft proposal could make all the difference to getting what you want, and it can also set up further deals down the line.

Another thing worth considering when signing players is using your General Allocation Money (GAM) and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) wisely. GAM can be used to reduce the impact of senior players on the salary cap. TAM can be used to bring down the impact of a designated player on the cap to the point that they will be demoted to a senior contract, and, in turn, free up a designated player slot.

[h2]DRAFTS[/h2]

Drafts are a key element of all major North American sports. MLS has five different drafts across the season for you to get to grips with, but don’t worry, you don’t have to participate in all of them.

The MLS SuperDraft, which takes place in January, allows you to recruit up to four players from college or university teams. Before the draft, players eligible for the draft will face off in a showcase match allowing you to do some scouting before draft day.

The order of picks is determined by the previous season’s league standings. Designed to promote parity across the league, this means that the first pick will always go to the team who finished bottom, followed by the sides that failed to make the playoffs the previous season. After this, the teams that made the playoffs are then included in the order in which they were eliminated, with the winners of the league having the final pick.



Existing teams get to pick up players previously discarded by other teams in the two Waiver Drafts. There is one that takes place just before the start of the season in February, which can help fill out your roster with some last-minute additions. There is also another one after the conclusion of a season, allowing you to snap up youngsters out of contract with other teams.

If a player isn’t picked up in the Waiver Draft, they can choose to enter the Re-Entry Draft. Re-Entry Draft Stage 1 selections will get an automatic contract extension upon joining your team so be wary of the wages and contract type you are selecting. In the Re-Entry Draft Stage 2, you are only acquiring the MLS rights and will need to negotiate a new contract to sign the selection, otherwise they will not join your club.

[h2]TOP TIPS TO MASTER MLS[/h2]

• Think strategically – maximise the varying contract types available to you to craft that winning squad. Handing out Reserve deals to every player won't work because you can only have a max of six, for example.
  
• Keep an eye on the salary cap – if you can’t stick within your budget, you won’t be able to get very far. Use GAM to buy down contracts for players on the roster and GAM/TAM when signing new players.
  
• Trade your way to success - having the ability to trade players, player rights, allocation money, and draft picks is a fantastic resource and doing it properly could make all the difference. Don’t lose players for nothing if you can’t fit them in your cap.
  
• Make the most out of the drafts – they can be a great way to bolster your squad without spending a fortune. Scouting can be difficult, but make sure to assign your scouts to the showcase games and after the draft player pool and Generation Adidas selections are announced.
  

[h2]MANAGING IN MLS ON FM24 Console, FM24 Touch or FM24 Mobile[/h2]

Given the league's complexities, MLS plays slightly differently in FM24 Console, FM24 Touch, and FM24 Mobile.

While you’ll still compete for the Supporters Shield and the ultimate goal is to lead your team to MLS

• Cup glory, we’ve made the following changes:
  
• Contracts are just normal player contracts you’ll be used to dealing with in your other FM24 saves.
  
• There’s no set wage structure, so you won’t have to worry about not meeting the salary cap.
  
• Transfers between clubs in the league act just like normal transfers with trades removed from the game.
  
• All drafts are removed.
  

[h2]WHO TO MANAGE?[/h2]

Now you know how to play in MLS, here are some ideas for where your journey stateside should begin.

[h2]Inter Miami [/h2]

Florida’s newest MLS side are entering the 2024 season as league favourites and it’s no surprise considering their star-studded squad. The challenge sells itself.

Entering their fourth season in MLS, the Sunshine State team has gone from strength to strength, winning their first major trophy last season.

Can you lead their talented squad to MLS Cup?

[h2]New York Red Bulls[/h2]

The Red Bulls were part of the inaugural season of MLS back in 1996, although at that time they were known as the MetroStars. Despite their long history, they’re one of the few original clubs who haven’t lifted MLS Cup yet.

They’ve got three Supporters’ Shields to their name, one of the leading stadiums in the league, and a new star player in Emil Forsberg.

Can you be the manager that finally breaks the duct and brings MLS Cup to the red side of The Big Apple?

[h2]D.C. United[/h2]

Based in the USA’s capital city, the Black and Reds dominated the early years of MLS but have struggled in more recent history following the expansion of the league.

Despite the woes of the last few years, they have an impressive trophy cabinet, including four MLS Cups, four Supporters’ Shield, three US Cups, and even a continental title.

They’ve not made the playoffs in nearly five years – are you up to the challenge to revert this trend?

[h2]Seattle Sounders[/h2]

The Sounders have a rich history that goes back to the '70s, although the current team joined the league as an expansion team in 2009.

With two MLS Cups and four US Cups to their name in just fifteen years, they’ve enjoyed an impressive start to MLS.

Based in the City of Emerald City, their roster includes Peru international, Raul Ruidiaz, Jordan Morris, and El Salvador captain, Alex Roldán.



Whoever you decide to take over on your journey managing in MLS, be sure to let us know on our social media channels @FootballManager when you lift that MLS Cup…

When starting a new career in Football Manager 2024, most of us have the same goal of taking our new club to the very top of the footballing world.

Developing their reputation isn’t as simple as results and tactical prowess on Matchday though. To rise up the in-game rankings, you’ll have to show your skills in developing young talents, managing your club’s finances and being a strategic decision-maker.

Here, SteinkelssonFM provides eight top tips for shaping your club into a powerhouse in FM24.

[h2]Financial Mastery[/h2]

Let’s start with some of the things that you can do off the pitch to help build your club’s reputation.
Maintaining a healthy financial position has always been important but as the real world of football has shown this season, it’s more important than ever if you want to progress.

Recruitment is where you’ll need to show some prudent money management. Having a strategy of signing players that you can develop and then sell for a profit is a good way to go, as is working smarter by using Affiliate Clubs and loan deals.

Some of your new signings will help to drive more commercial revenue, as will setting up lucrative friendlies and performing well in competitions with good prize money available.
Keeping to your budgets and ensuring financial stability at your club goes a long way to developing your reputation in FM24.



[h2]Facilities and Infrastructure Investment[/h2]

The above isn’t to say that you shouldn’t spend money in your career, far from it. In fact, one of the main areas where you should invest is in your club’s facilities.

Upgrading your training and youth facilities, as well as your stadium infrastructure, is more than a cosmetic enhancement – it's a commitment to excellence. Better facilities improve your club’s image, particularly for those new signings that you’re trying to persuade to join your project.

If feasible, consider expanding your stadium's capacity. A larger and more impressive stadium not only accommodates a growing fan base but also contributes to higher matchday revenue.



[h2]Youth Development[/h2]

Another key reason for developing your facilities is to improve your chances of getting a ‘Golden Generation’ when your next Youth Intake rolls round.

So much of our love for Football Manager is driven by those memorable wonderkid newgens that have carried us to glory.

Building a strong youth system not only strengthens your squad with talented prospects but also helps to generate more revenue during transfer windows.

Nurturing your own stars also resonates with the fans, helping to change your supporter base in-game and enhancing the reputations of both you and the club.

Taking the plunge and pursuing a career where you only use your own youth prospects can be a challenge, but it’s one of the most rewarding for a reason.

[h2]Media Relations[/h2]

Navigating your media obligations is an underestimated aspect of reputation management and development in FM24. Every press conference and media interaction is an opportunity to shape public perception.

Respond positively, praise your players, and maintain composure in the face of criticism and you’ll build strong relations with the outlets covering your club.

As much as results on the pitch will determine the club’s success, a manager's conduct off the field has a resounding impact on the overall perception of the club.



[h2]Building Squad Personality[/h2]
It’s not just the media that you should be looking to build strong relations with.

The overall personality of your squad will ultimately determine your club’s trajectory. Cultivating a team with a strong personality goes beyond tactics – it's about fostering unity, determination, and a shared commitment to success.

A cohesive and motivated squad not only performs better on the pitch but resonates positively with fans and observers alike, contributing to the overall reputation of the club.

As a manager, you can do your bit to enhance this by adding Team Bonding sessions to your Training schedules, setting up Mentoring groups and signing players that fit into your club’s existing social groups.



[h2]On-Field Brilliance[/h2]

Your squad’s personality, as well as your club’s reputation, will be enhanced significantly by the results that you achieve on Matchday.

Football is ultimately a results business and as a manager you’ve got to hit the targets that your board set for you in their Club Vision.

Across all competitions, consistency and consistent success should be the aim, whether that’s striving for victories in league matches or making deep runs in cup competitions.

Positive results will elevate your team, attracting attention from fans, pundits, and rivals alike. A successful team is more likely to grab headlines, increasing your club's reputation and your managerial standing in the process.



[h2]Success in Continental Competitions[/h2]

Once you’ve achieved domestic success, your attention should naturally turn towards continental competition.

Participating in these prestigious tournaments not only provides a shot at silverware but also significantly boosts your club's reputation on the international stage.

Success in these tournaments amplifies your club's reputation and can attract attention from football fans worldwide. Involvement in these competitions can also help to retain your more ambitious players, providing them with the opportunity to compete on football's biggest stages.

[h2]Managerial Achievements[/h2]

Beyond the success of the team lies the personal journey of the manager. Achieving personal accolades, such as winning Manager of the Year awards or reaching career milestones, contributes to the overall narrative of success surrounding the club.

These moments serve as a testament to your managerial prowess and further enhance your club's reputation.

In FM24, the journey to elevate your club's reputation never stops. It requires a balance of on-field success, financial acumen, and strategic decision-making.

Consistent success both on and off the pitch is the key to climbing the ranks and securing your club's place among the footballing elite.

Embrace the journey, make informed choices, and watch as your club's reputation ascends to new heights in the virtual football world.

Happy managing,

Steinkelsson FM

Find a new club to treasure and start your season today with FM24 now on sale across selected platforms*.

FM24 (PC/Mac), FM24 Console (Xbox) and FM24 Touch (Nintendo Switch™) are all available at 20% until 3pm GMT on Wednesday, 21st February. FM24 Console on PlayStation 5 will be discounted until 3pm GMT on Wednesday, 28th February.

FM24 is the most complete edition in the history of the series and is packed with new additions and upgrades that elevate your game experience.

Take inspiration on where to start your next career from the real world of football, where clubs across Europe are battling to break the status quo. Alternatively, why not bring forward your existing progress from FM23?

The ability to carry careers forward means that you can continue your legacies in FM23 Console and FM23 Touch through to FM24 Console and FM24 Touch respectively.

To identify which of our titles is best for you, check out our dedicated Compare Games page.

*This promotion does not apply to FM24 Touch (Apple Arcade) or FM24 Mobile.