Mastering Youth Development in Football Manager – A Step-by-Step
Guide
My Youth Development Nightmare (and How I Fixed It)
We've all been there—staring at an underwhelming youth intake, wondering why our once-promising academy is producing Sunday League-level talent. I remember my first serious attempt at youth development in Football Manager. I invested in top facilities, hired a Head of Youth Development who looked good on paper, and sat back, expecting my own Lionel Messi to emerge.
Spoiler: That didn't happen. Instead, my youth intake consisted of slow, unambitious players with the mental strength of a wet tissue. It took me multiple saves, hours of scouting, and some painful mistakes to figure out what actually works.
If you're looking to turn your club into a youth development powerhouse, here’s exactly what you need to do.
1. Upgrade Your Youth Facilities ASAP
- Youth Facilities: Determines the quality of your academy players’ training environment.
- Junior Coaching: Affects the level at which your newgens arrive at the club.
- Youth Recruitment: Impacts the range and quality of players that enter your intake.
๐ก Tip: Constantly request upgrades through the board. If they refuse, increase your club’s reputation and finances to persuade them.
READ ALSO: How to Maximize Your Scouting Network in Football Manager
2. Hire the Best Head of Youth Development (It’s Crucial!)
What to look for:
- Judging Player Potential – Higher means better evaluation of youngsters.
- Judging Player Ability – Helps in assessing their current skill level.
- Working with Youngsters – Essential for effective youth coaching.
- Personality Matters – A Model Citizen or Professional personality leads to mentally stronger newgens.
๐ฅ Hidden Gem: Some HoYDs have a preferred tactical style that influences your intake. If you want flair players, avoid HoYDs who favour defensive football.
READ ALSO: Top 250 FM24 Recruitment Staff Shortlist – Best Scouts, DoFs & Analysts
3. Train Your Youth Players Correctly
Assign them a position-specific training plan early. Have senior players mentor them (more on this below). Regularly monitor their training performance in the Development Centre. Adjust individual focus training based on their potential (Acceleration, Strength, Passing, etc.).
⚠️ Warning: Overloading young players with training can cause injuries and fatigue. Manage their workload carefully.
4. Smart Loan Moves – Don’t Just Send Them Anywhere
Before loaning out a youngster, ask yourself:
- Will they be a starter? Check the squad depth of the loaning club.
- Does the club have good facilities? Better facilities = better development.
- What league are they in? Competitive leagues improve players faster than weak ones.
๐ฏ Pro Tip: Use the ‘Playing Time’ column in the loan list to track how often your loanees are actually playing.
5. Use Mentoring to Improve Youngsters
Assign a senior player with good leadership and professionalism to mentor young players. Ensure the mentor and mentee have similar positions for better results. Check for personality changes over time—if your youngster picks up a better personality, you’re on the right track.
⚠️ Avoid mentoring groups with negative personalities (Unambitious, Low Determination, etc.), as bad traits can spread like a virus.
READ ALSO: Top 5 Player Weaknesses in Football Manager & How to Fix Them
6. Keep an Eye on the Development Centre
- Check performance updates on loanees.
- See which U18 and U21 players are excelling.
- Promote top-performing players at the right time.
๐ Look out for players with ‘Ready for First Team’ recommendations—your assistant manager knows when they’re prepared for senior football.
READ ALSO: 3 Simple Steps to Develop Any Young Player in FM24
7. Gradually Introduce Young Players to First-Team Football
- Start with cup matches and low-pressure games.
- Give them 15-20 minute cameos in league matches.
- Slowly increase their game time as their attributes improve.
- Rotate them with senior players to maintain balance.
๐ Success Story: I once had a 16-year-old striker with 5-star potential. I slowly introduced him via cup matches, and by 19, he was my main goal scorer. Give your youngsters time and they’ll reward you.
READ NEXT: How to Get a Son in Football Manager 2024
Final Thoughts
Developing a top-tier youth system in Football Manager isn’t just about luck—it’s about having the right facilities, staff, and a structured plan for player growth. Follow these steps, be patient, and before you know it, you’ll have a conveyor belt of world-class talent coming through your academy.
Now, over to you—what’s your biggest youth development success story in FM? Let me know in the comments!