2025-11-13 10:00
by
nlpkak
I still remember the first time I fired up Football Manager 2020 with that familiar mix of excitement and apprehension. Building a winning team from scratch isn't just about signing the best players—it's about creating something greater than the sum of its parts, much like how beach volleyball partners Kami and Pons approach their quest for the podium. When Pons said "let's get a podium again," it wasn't just about individual talent but about rebuilding that championship chemistry after their 2023 setback. That's exactly what we're aiming for here—constructing a squad that doesn't just look good on paper but actually delivers when it matters.
The foundation of any successful FM20 save begins with establishing your tactical identity before you even look at transfers. I've made the mistake too many times of signing players first and trying to fit them into a system later—it's like trying to force square pegs into round holes. What works for me is choosing one of three core approaches: possession-based football with a 4-3-3, counter-attacking with a 4-2-3-1, or high-press systems using a 4-4-2. Personally, I lean toward the 4-3-3 possession style because it gives me control over matches, but I've seen incredible success with counter-attacking setups—especially with smaller clubs where you're likely to be outgunned. The key is committing to your philosophy early. I typically spend the first two weeks of preseason exclusively working on tactical familiarity, even if it means sacrificing some match fitness.
Scouting is where the real magic happens, and this is where most managers either thrive or fail spectacularly. My approach involves dividing my search into three categories: established professionals aged 26-30 who can deliver immediately, promising talents between 18-23 for development, and those crucial veteran leaders over 30 who bring stability. The data hub is your best friend here—I regularly filter for players with determination above 15 and consistency ratings of 14 or higher. These hidden attributes matter more than people realize. Last save, I found this 28-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder with 17 determination for just £3.5 million who completely transformed my team's mentality. That's the kind of find that changes everything.
Transfer negotiations require a blend of psychology and economics. I always start by identifying my absolute must-have targets—usually 3-5 players maximum—and then create a broader shortlist of 15-20 alternatives. The trick is making the selling club believe you're not desperate, even when you absolutely are. I've had success with structured deals where I pay only 60-70% of the fee upfront, spreading the rest over 48 months. For wage budgets, I'm pretty strict—nobody gets more than 15% of my total wage allocation unless they're a genuine superstar. And I never, ever break this rule after learning the hard way when I gave a 30-year-old striker £200,000 per week and watched him score 4 goals all season.
What many managers overlook is the squad dynamics system, which FM20 implemented beautifully. This isn't just fluff—it directly impacts performance. I treat my squad like a delicate ecosystem where every signing affects the balance. When bringing in new players, I always consider their personality types and how they'll mesh with existing leaders. In my current save with Brighton, I deliberately signed two model citizens early to establish a professional culture before adding more volatile but talented players. The result? Team cohesion jumped from average to excellent in just four months, and we outperformed our expected points total by 18 points that season.
Training requires both macro and micro management. I delegate most general training to my assistant but personally handle individual focus for every single player. For developing youngsters, I'm relentless about assigning them senior mentors and creating customized training regimens. One of my proudest FM20 moments was taking a 17-year-old Welsh regen with 2-star current ability and developing him into a 4.5-star player worth £45 million within three seasons. The secret was focusing his individual training on specific attributes rather than broad roles and ensuring he got regular—but not excessive—first-team minutes.
In-match management separates good managers from great ones. I've developed this habit of noting down how my team performs in specific scenarios—are we conceding early goals? Struggling after halftime? I then create tailored training sessions addressing these patterns. During matches, I'm constantly monitoring three key metrics: pass completion rates, pressing effectiveness, and player body language. When I see two or more players showing poor body language, I immediately use team talks or substitutions to change the energy. It's amazing how often a simple substitution or tactical tweak in the 60th minute can completely shift a game's momentum.
The financial aspect can't be ignored, especially when building from nothing. I operate with a simple principle: never spend more than 75% of your transfer budget in one window, always maintain a wage buffer of at least 10%, and develop a clear pathway from your youth academy to the first team. In my longest FM20 save, I eventually had 60% of my starting lineup comprised of academy graduates, which saved millions in transfer fees and created this incredible bond with the fans. The board loved me, the finances were healthy, and we'd built something sustainable rather than just chasing quick fixes.
Building a winning team in Football Manager 2020 reminds me of what makes sports so compelling—it's that journey of creating something special through vision, patience, and understanding human dynamics. Just like Kami and Pons working to reclaim their podium spot, success in FM isn't about instant gratification. It's about laying brick by brick, learning from setbacks, and staying committed to your vision even when results don't immediately come. The most satisfying moments aren't necessarily winning the Champions League—they're seeing that young player you nurtured for years score the winner, or watching your tactical system finally click after months of refinement. That's the beauty of building from scratch: every success feels earned, every triumph tastes sweeter because you built it with your own vision and persistence.
