Looking for a Football Manager 2024 save ideas? Well, here are loads of them that you can tackle in your next FM24 save.
Level Up Your Football Manager 2024 Journey: The Ultimate List of Challenges and Save Ideas to Keep You Hooked Until FM25!
If you’re looking to make Football Manager 2024 unforgettable, you’re in the right place. We’ve collected some of the most creative challenges and save ideas around, guaranteeing variety and excitement for managers of every experience level. From long-term projects to thrilling underdog tales, there’s something here to suit any style. So, let's dive in and explore the best challenges to test your skills and bring fresh stories to your FM career!
1. Beating the Big Brother
This challenge is all about rising above. Pick a smaller club within a city dominated by a football giant and take on the mission of surpassing the big brother. Think Paris FC against PSG or 1860 Munich aiming to steal the spotlight from Bayern. It’s about tactical growth, squad building, and some serious hometown bragging rights as you work to make your club the number one in the city.
2. Into the Future
3. Journeyman Challenge
A classic, but with endless appeal. In Football Manager 2024, the Journeyman Challenge is ideal for anyone eager to explore as many leagues as possible, taking on roles in unfamiliar settings and working their way up from the very bottom. Start unemployed, with the lowest credentials, and let your reputation grow with each club you manage. You’ll experience football culture from around the world, from lower leagues to legendary clubs, and every step will be a part of your unique FM legacy.
READ ALSO: 4 Tips when doing a Journeyman Challenge
There’s something magical about reviving a fallen club, one with history and loyal fans but lacking recent success. For this save, bring clubs like Valencia or Hamburg back to the glory days. Football Manager 2024 is rich with these nostalgic teams waiting for the right manager to lead their comeback. It’s a long road to the top, but if you’re up for it, this can be one of the most rewarding saves in FM.
This one’s a real test of patience and adaptability! In the Director of Football Challenge, your primary job is simply to manage, letting your Director of Football make the big calls—from transfers to contract negotiations. Not being in total control can be nerve-wracking, but the added unpredictability makes for a fascinating story. Your task? Guide the team through ups and downs, working with (or sometimes around) your Director’s choices.
Athletic Bilbao’s policy of signing only Basque players is legendary and challenging. It tests your ability to develop local talent and make strategic acquisitions within the Basque region. You’ll need patience and a strong youth academy setup to build a competitive squad—perfect if you’re up for a unique test of loyalty and talent cultivation.
Lower League to Glory can be a very long save, depending on how far the team is from the top division. In this FM 24 save, you will pick a team from the lowest possible division in the country and try to bring them to glory. This save can be very fun and emotional because you can get attached to the team as the save progresses.
In club and country save, the aim is to win the Champions League with a club and the World Cup with a nation. You have to manage the team that is based in the nation that you have chosen, and you have to manage them at the same time. You will notice, along with the save, the youth players that you have produced through the academy will help you to succeed on the national stage while helping you to succeed on the European stage as well.
Picking this type of save can give you some tough time. In the Homegrown FM 2024 challenge, the rules are simple; you are not allowed to sign any players; the only players that you are allowed to sign are those who are from your youth academy. There are no restrictions on signing staff members. The aim of this challenge is to win the Champions League with as many homegrown players as possible.
Many Football Manager players, even the veteran ones, are always stuck managing the team in the top leagues. Picking a team that isn't in the top 5 leagues gives you a chance to explore the football world and learn about new leagues in places that you have never heard of. Football Manager 2024 offers 118 leagues in 53 different countries. The fun comes when you win a title in a league that you have never thought you would ever be thinking of managing in. Try to explore more leagues, such as in East Europe, South America and Asia.
This save is a mission to unite and elevate Yorkshire football. Take control of multiple Yorkshire-based clubs like Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield Wednesday, and Harrogate Town, with the aim of propelling them into the Premier League. The ultimate goal? Achieve a clean sweep of domestic trophies with an all-Yorkshire squad, battling the country’s top teams. Along the way, you’ll foster regional pride and loyalty, aiming to establish Yorkshire as a footballing powerhouse.
4. Sleeping Giant
5. Director of Football Challenge
This one’s a real test of patience and adaptability! In the Director of Football Challenge, your primary job is simply to manage, letting your Director of Football make the big calls—from transfers to contract negotiations. Not being in total control can be nerve-wracking, but the added unpredictability makes for a fascinating story. Your task? Guide the team through ups and downs, working with (or sometimes around) your Director’s choices.
READ ALSO: The Luis Campos Football Manager Challenge
6. Athletic Bilbao Challenge
7. Lower League to Glory
Lower League to Glory can be a very long save, depending on how far the team is from the top division. In this FM 24 save, you will pick a team from the lowest possible division in the country and try to bring them to glory. This save can be very fun and emotional because you can get attached to the team as the save progresses.
8. Club and Country Challenge
In club and country save, the aim is to win the Champions League with a club and the World Cup with a nation. You have to manage the team that is based in the nation that you have chosen, and you have to manage them at the same time. You will notice, along with the save, the youth players that you have produced through the academy will help you to succeed on the national stage while helping you to succeed on the European stage as well.
9. Homegrown Challenge
Picking this type of save can give you some tough time. In the Homegrown FM 2024 challenge, the rules are simple; you are not allowed to sign any players; the only players that you are allowed to sign are those who are from your youth academy. There are no restrictions on signing staff members. The aim of this challenge is to win the Champions League with as many homegrown players as possible.
10. Picking a Team That Isn't in the Top 5 Leagues
Many Football Manager players, even the veteran ones, are always stuck managing the team in the top leagues. Picking a team that isn't in the top 5 leagues gives you a chance to explore the football world and learn about new leagues in places that you have never heard of. Football Manager 2024 offers 118 leagues in 53 different countries. The fun comes when you win a title in a league that you have never thought you would ever be thinking of managing in. Try to explore more leagues, such as in East Europe, South America and Asia.
11. The Graham Potter Career Challenge
Start your journey where Graham Potter began his rise—Östersunds FK in Sweden’s lower leagues, or pick any team in Sweden's second tier. From there, aim to replicate his unique path to managing a top-six English club. This save is perfect for those wanting a long, strategic climb, honing their skills in Sweden before taking on English football’s elite.
12. Yorkshire Challenge
13. The Proclaimers' Challenge
This unique journey starts with a Fife club—a team in Scotland’s Fife region, like Dunfermline Athletic or Raith Rovers. First, lead them to the top division, then move on to manage clubs at intervals of 500 miles, capturing titles in each destination. This challenge combines geographical progression with league diversity, creating a fresh, unpredictable journey across leagues and cultures.
14. The City Group Challenge
Take over each club in the City Football Group with the goal of league domination. Clubs in this network include Montevideo City Torque (Uruguay), New York City FC (USA), Troyes AC (France), Girona FC (Spain), Lommel SK (Belgium), Sichuan Jiuniu (China), Mumbai City FC (India), Melbourne City FC (Australia), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Palermo FC (Italy), and Esporte Clube Bahia (Brazil). Can you make one of these clubs more renowned than Manchester City?
READ ALSO: Football Manager City Group Challenge
15. Oldham Athletic Challenge
Oldham Athletic, a founding Premier League club, is now in non-league football. With new ownership but a troubled squad, it’s the perfect underdog project for FM24. Take the reins, rebuild the club from scratch, and embark on a mission to restore Oldham’s pride. Your long-term goal? Guide Oldham back to the Premier League, reigniting its former glory and re-establishing it as a formidable English team.
16. Brexit Challenge
Take on a quintessentially British club like Millwall or Burnley, embracing the challenge of signing only UK players with a minimum aggression rating of 14. To add to the old-school flavour, the only allowed formation is a classic 4-4-2. This save has you fully committed to British grit and a back-to-basics approach, creating a throwback to robust football.
17. A-Z of Football Challenge
Begin unemployed with no coaching badges, managing clubs alphabetically. Start with a team beginning with “A,” win a trophy, resign, and move on to “B.” Each letter brings new challenges, and getting sacked means you’re stuck on that letter until you earn some silverware.
18. The European Team in Africa Challenge
This unconventional save features AD Ceuta FC, a Spanish club based in Morocco. Currently in Spain’s third division, your goal is to bring this unique outpost of European football to Champions League glory—essentially bringing the top European title to the African continent.
19. East German Challenge
Historically, no East German club has ever won the Bundesliga. With teams like Dynamo Dresden or FC Magdeburg, your mission is to challenge the dominance of West German clubs, using strategic planning and youth development to create an Eastern powerhouse.
20. Belenenses Challenge
Take on the mission of reviving Belenenses, a once-great Portuguese club fallen on hard times. Starting with limited resources, a modest fanbase, and a tumultuous history, your goal is to restore them to their former glory. Build a squad grounded in youth development, relying heavily on the academy and a few clever signings. Overcome financial obstacles, navigate passionate fan expectations, and lead Belenenses back into Portugal's elite. This save offers a blend of nostalgia and challenge, making it perfect for managers seeking an underdog story.
21. Sir Alex Ferguson's challenge
Simulate to early November and take over the club in 19th place, just as Sir Alex did at Man United. Your mission is to save the team from relegation, establish stability, and then build a squad capable of dominating domestically. Then you have to replicate exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson did with Manchester United.
READ ALSO: Sir Alex Ferguson Football Manager Challenge
22. Pentagon Challenge
The goal here is to conquer each continent by winning its top continental trophy: Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. Start unemployed or with low credentials, working your way through five continents. This long-term challenge tests your adaptability across different playing styles, cultures, and budgets. It’s the ultimate globetrotting save for the most dedicated FM players.
READ ALSO: Football Manager Pentagon Challenge
23. Glory Hunter Challenge
Epic long-term challenge created by YouTuber DoctorBenjy, aiming to test players' tactical flexibility and time management across Europe’s elite leagues. The core goal is to win both the domestic league and main cup competitions in the “Big Five” leagues—England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France. Additionally, managers must claim the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League trophies, along with two major international titles: the European Championship and the World Cup. Players have a time limit of 20 in-game seasons, pushing them to plan carefully and choose clubs wisely to achieve glory in time.
24. Southampton Challenge
In this FM24 challenge, manage Southampton with a twist: every season, you must sell your top three performing players, forcing you to rebuild consistently while focusing on youth development and tactical flexibility. The challenge captures the real-world struggles of mid-table clubs that rely on sales to fund new talent. Can you keep Southampton competitive, or even push for European qualification, despite regularly losing your star players? This save will test your squad-building skills and adaptability under pressure.
25. Unemployed challenge
Start with no coaching badges, no experience, and no club. The objective is to climb the managerial ladder by taking any available job, building your reputation with each team. Winning every domestic trophy in England is the ultimate end goal, testing your resilience and adaptability across every tier of English football.
26. Wisła Kraków Challenge
Wisła Kraków, Poland’s third most successful club, now languishes in the second division after years of mismanagement. The challenge here is to return them to the top of Polish football. Rebuild Wisła's legacy by promoting youth talent and navigating the league’s financial constraints to reclaim their spot among the elites.
27. Deportivo La Coruña Challenge
Take on Deportivo La Coruña, a once-proud Spanish giant now fighting to reclaim its former status in the Segunda División. Known for winning La Liga in 2000 and reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2004, Deportivo’s history is steeped in drama and resilience. Managing them in FM24 lets you experience the passion of Riazor Stadium and the fierce Galician derby against Celta Vigo. Your mission: overcome financial constraints, rebuild the squad through youth development, and guide Deportivo back to La Liga, with a long-term goal of returning to European competition.
28. Build a League Challenge
Choose a league that is good but just outside the top five leagues. Such as the Eredivisie or Liga Portugal. Your aim is to build up the entire league, so eventually, they're one of the best leagues and are top of the UEFA coefficient.
29. Palermo Challenge
Take charge of Palermo and revive their storied past, aiming to return the club to Serie A and make them a competitive force in Italian football. With the resources of the City Football Group and a dedicated local fanbase, focus on blending local talent and international signings to build a squad that reflects both the Sicilian spirit and global ambition. Your ultimate goal? Lead Palermo back to Italian prominence and perhaps even European competitions, bringing glory to the Rosanero.
30. Dorking Wanderers Challenge
Dorking Wanderers FC began as a park football side in 1999, founded by Marc White and his friends in Surrey. Starting from the Crawley & District League, this team of mates has since skyrocketed through English football, achieving an unbelievable 12 promotions in 25 years. Now competing in the National League at the modern Meadowbank Stadium, they’re one of the few part-time clubs holding their own at this level. From pub dreams to professional heights—if that’s not real-life FM, what is?
31. The Cholo Challenge
Simulate La Liga until November 6th, then take over the team sitting in 10th place—no matter who it is. From there, your mission is to break Real Madrid and Barcelona's dominance by implementing classic Cholo-style tactics: intense, aggressive, and unyieldingly defensive. This challenge is all about channelling the spirit of Diego Simeone to craft a team that can upset Spanish football’s big two through gritty, disciplined play.
32. The Leonardo DiCaprio Challenge
In this unique test of youth development, no player on your squad can be over 25 years old—sell them the moment they hit that age. Build a high-energy, youthful team, relying on relentless pace, fresh legs, and constant rotation. The goal? Dominate world football, proving that you can achieve greatness with only the next generation.
33. Never Made the Premier League Challenge
For the Never Made the Premier League Challenge, pick one of these teams and aim to lead them to the English top flight for the very first time. This save is perfect for fans of long-term projects who want to transform an underdog into a Premier League mainstay. With each promotion, you’ll build a legacy and write new history for a club that has yet to experience the glamour of the top division.
Conclusion
Football Manager 2024 offers endless possibilities, and this list of challenges and save ideas is just the beginning of what you can achieve in the game. Whether you're looking to revive a fallen giant, build a dynasty from scratch, or experience the thrill of managing unique clubs with unusual restrictions, each challenge promises a distinct story. These saves are more than just managerial tasks—they’re journeys that test your adaptability, creativity, and tactical acumen.
No matter which challenge you choose, remember that each club has a legacy waiting to be written, and every season offers fresh opportunities to make history. So pick your save, dive into the world of FM24, and let the journey unfold.
