Mastering Every Formation – the absolute best roles for each formation in Football Manager

In my experience, the most satisfying way to play Football Manager is when you succeed using a tactic you’ve created yourself. From mastering a Moneyball save to figuring out the actual best formation to use, there’s something magical about gradually tweaking your own tactical setup until it just clicks.

That’s why, personally, winning feels a little hollow if I’ve used a tactic I downloaded off the internet. I used to do it all the time, but now I can’t bring myself to, it just takes the edge off the enjoyment. That said, sometimes, especially when you’re new to FM, you need a base template to build from.

As a self-proclaimed Football Manager expert (kinda), I can chat for hours about the best secret FM rivals or the weird obscure FM game that absolutely no one has played. But it’s also really helpful to teach newcomers what how to master basic formations, or even refresh the minds of series veterans.

It’s incredibly helpful to know which roles actually work together in a given formation, so you can start with something solid and tweak things as you go, based on what suits your players and your style. So, for every normal formation in Football Manager, I’ve created a go-to list of player roles that just work. Treat them as your foundation—then start experimenting and breaking stuff to your heart’s content.

4-2-3-1

GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
DR – Wing Back (Support)
DL – Wing Back (Support)
DCS – Ball-Playing Defender (Defend) + Central Defender (Defend)
DMs – Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend) + Box-to-Box Midfielder (Support)
AMC – Attacking Midfielder (Support)
AMR – Inside Forward (Attack)
AML – Winger (Support)
ST – Pressing Forward (Attack)

4-3-3

GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
DR/DL – Wing Back (Support)
DCs – Ball Playing Defender (Defend) + Central Defender (Defend)
DM – Half Back (Defend)
CMs – Box-to-Box Midfielder (Support) + Mezzala (Attack)
AMR/AML – Inside Forward (Support) + Inverted Winger (Attack)
ST – Advanced Forward (Attack)

3-5-2

GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
CBs – Wide Centre Back (Support) x2 + Central Defender (Defend)
Wing Backs – Wing Back (Support/Attack depending on opponent)
CM Trio – Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend) + Central Midfielder (Support) + Mezzala (Attack)
STs – Pressing Forward (Support) + Advanced Forward (Attack)

4-2-4

GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
DR/DL – Wing Back (Attack) + Full Back (Attack)
DCs – Central Defender (Defend) x2
CMs – Ball Winning Midfielder (Support) + Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend)
AMR/AML – Inside Forward (Attack)
STs – Pressing Forward (Support) + Advanced Forward (Attack)

3-4-3

GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
CBs – Wide Centre Back (Support) x2 + Central Defender (Cover)
WBR/WBL – Wing Back (Attack)
CMs – Deep-Lying Playmaker (Support) + Box-to-Box Midfielder (Support)
AMR/AML – Inverted Winger (Support)
ST – Pressing Forward (Attack)

4-1-2-1-2

GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
DR/DL – Wing Back (Attack)
DCs – Central Defender (Defend) x2
DM – Defensive Midfielder (Support)
CMs – Mezzala (Support) + Central Midfielder (Support)
AMC – Shadow Striker (Attack)
STs – Advanced Forward (Attack) + Deep-Lying Forward (Support)

4-4-2

GK – Goalkeeper (Defend)
DR/DL – Full Back (Support)
DCs – Central Defender (Defend) x2
MR – Winger (Support)
ML – Inverted Winger (Attack)
CM (right) – Central Midfielder (Defend)
CM (left) – Box-to-Box Midfielder (Support)
ST (right) – Deep-Lying Forward (Support)
ST (left) – Advanced Forward (Attack)

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve slotted these templates in, the rest is up to you. But if I were you, I’d add some high pressing and sprinkle in the usual meta instructions… otherwise, you’re signing yourself up for a world of pain.

So, do you agree with the roles I’ve picked? What would you use in each of these formations? Let me know in the comments. Let the tactical arguments begin.