The scout filters and scouting assignments for Football Manager 2024

One of the most underrated superpowers in Football Manager? A great set of scouting filters and properly set-up recruitment focuses. This isn’t just about tracking down the next Endrick or wondering why you can’t afford one of the best wonderkids from Dinamo Zagreb. It’s about building repeatable, efficient ways to find players, whether you’re managing Real Madrid or Boreham Wood.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best scouting filters and recruitment focus setups I’ve used across different saves. We’re covering everything: wonderkids, cheap beasts, personality monsters, and seasoned free agents. No downloads, no gimmicks – just filters and focuses you can set up in-game and rely on every save. Let’s get into it.

My Go-To Scouting Filters

These filters go beyond just finding 5-star potential. They’re designed to help you discover players that fit your club’s budget, culture, and tactical needs. Here’s how I do it

1. Wonderkids via International Pedigree

• Age: ≤ 19
• Caps: ≥ 1 senior cap (or ≥ 1 U21 cap if under 17)
• Value: ≤ £10M

If a teenager’s getting caps for their national side, they’re worth a look. Especially if they’re not yet hoovered up by a superclub. Think of this as your early warning radar for breakout stars.

2. Role-Specific Attribute Filters

Example: Teenage Striker Filter

• Age: ≤ 18
• Finishing: ≥ 14
• Off the Ball: ≥ 14
• Pace: ≥ 14

This one’s for when you know exactly what you need. Adjust attributes to fit your role e.g., Tackle, Positioning, and Strength for a ball-winning midfielder. Pro tip: start strict, then loosen slightly until you have 10-20 players.

3. Hidden Gems & Bargain Poachers

• Age: ≤ 19
• Youth/International Caps: ≥ 1
• Value: ≤ £5M
• Release Clause: Foreign Release Clause ≤ £5M

Want to steal a Brazilian regen for peanuts? This filter is for you. A lot of clubs still bake in realistic (and affordable) release clauses. You just need to find them.

4. Free Agent Gold

• Contract Status: Unattached
• Age: 28–34 (or tweak based on need)
• Work Rate: ≥ 13
• Determination: ≥ 13
• Reputation: tweak based on the size of your club until you have a suitable amount of players that actually want to come to your club

Ideal for when you’re cash-strapped and need a leader in the dressing room. You’ll skip over the retirees and pick up true professionals who still have a shift in them.

5. The Bosman Special

• Contract Remaining: ≤ 6 months
• Age: Any
• Interest in Transfer: Yes

Perfect for swooping in early and sealing a pre-contract before your rivals even realise their contract’s expiring.

6. Driven Dudes Only

• Personality: Resolute / Model Professional / Driven
• Determination: ≥ 15
• Teamwork or Work Rate: ≥ 13

You can’t teach mentality. But you can scout for it. This one’s gold for youth recruitment, especially if you’re building a culture-focused squad.

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Recruitment Focuses That Actually Work

Here’s where the magic happens. A well-set recruitment focus takes the heavy lifting off your plate and lets your scouts bring you bangers on autopilot.

1. Wonderkid Factory

• Age: 15–21
• CA: ≥ 1 silver star
• PA: ≥ 3 gold stars
• Region: South America / France / Nigeria etc.
• Duration: Ongoing

Use this focus across different regions with separate scouts. It’s how I’ve found most of my best regens.

2. First-Team Ready Signings

• Age: 22–28
• CA: ≥ 2.5 stars
• PA: ≥ 3 stars
• Region: Top leagues (or tailor to your needs)
• Duration: Ongoing

This one’s all about plugging gaps with quality. Especially useful if you’re pushing for promotion or aiming to qualify for Europe.

3. Contract Expiry Hunters

• Contract Status: Expires in 6 months
• CA: ≥ 2 stars
• PA: ≥ 3 stars
• Age: Any

A moneyball classic. Sign players before their club even blinks.

4. Transfer List Opportunists

• Transfer Status: Listed
• CA: ≥ 2 stars
• PA: ≥ 3 stars

Some of the best signings I’ve made came from players on the naughty step at big clubs.

5. Loan Market Pros

• Loan Status: Listed for loan
• Age: 18–24
• CA: ≥ 2 stars
• PA: ≥ 3 stars

Ideal if you’re in a lower league or just need short-term cover. Focus on big clubs with stacked youth teams.

6. Homegrown Heroes

• Age: 15–18
• Nationality: Your club’s nation
• PA: ≥ 3 stars

Great for meeting registration rules and building a long-term spine.

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Bonus Tips:

• Match scouts to their region knowledge—don’t send your Bulgarian scout to Chile.
• Keep 1/2 scouts free for ad-hoc reports or sudden tips.
• Ramp up scouting around youth intake dates (March for most countries).
• Check competitions like the U21 Euros and Copa Libertadores for hidden gems.

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That’s the lot. If you use these filters and focuses in tandem, your scouting network turns from a clunky to-do list into a talent-churning machine. You’ll go from panic-buying a 30-year-old winger to confidently signing a 17-year-old future captain with a Determination of 19.

Let your scouts do the heavy lifting… just make sure you’re giving them the right brief. Happy hunting!