Football Manager 2023: Best Teams to Manage

That first moment you fire up a new Football Manager and go to choose your team, is both incredibly exciting and also really nerve wracking. This is your save for the next however many hundreds of hours, these players are about to be who you rely on and what if they don’t have a very good youth set-up? 

Guaranteed, this is one of the hardest decisions of any football fan’s life, so we thought we would make it a bit easier and suggest some of our favourites down below.

Our choices are a mixture of good, challenging saves and some that you may just want to have fun with for a few seasons. 

With that said, let’s take a look at who we think will be the best teams to manage on Football Manager 2023 (FM23). 

Who are the Best Teams to Manage in FM23? 

FM23: FC Kaiserslautern

 FC Kaiserslautern are one of the world football’s fallen giants. They have won four Bundesliga titles and two DFB- Pokals during their storied history. In recent years, they have not been doing quite as well, slipping down to the German third division. 

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During the 21/22 season they managed to get themselves back up to the 2. Bundesliga. The challenge here is can you get them back to the first division and maybe even beyond? Challenging Bayern Munich for titles may be a little way down the line, but a club of this heritage deserves it. 

Managing  FC Kaiserslautern is certainly not for newcomers to FM23, as this could be quite challenging but someone needs to take them back to the top, so why can’t it be you? 

FM23: Newcastle United

If you want a pretty laid back save with as close to unlimited money as possible, then Newcastle is the save for you. Manchester City, PSG, Chelsea, and many other clubs will have the financial backing that Newcastle do, but there is so much room to improve. The squad is a complete blank canvas, giving you the freedom to do whatever you like. 

There are still some players who are worth keeping too. Joelinton has been re-invented since moving into the midfield, whilst Allan Saint-Maximin is always a livewire on the wing. Newcastle also has Callum Wilson, who on FM is always an absolute goal machine. 

FM23: Wrexham AFC 

If you’re into football you have probably heard of what’s going on at Wrexham with their new celebrity owners. If you haven’t, then there is a documentary all about it on Disney+, but just in case they have been bought by Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool). 

They have a lot of money for the level they’re at, but they are still in the 5th tier of English football. So this save will take you a while to get through, especially if you want to try and get them to the top tier of English football.

You will be a solid side for the division you start off in, and promotion in the first season is likely, but after that it’s going to take some work. 

FM23: Parma Calcio 1913 

Parma is a team with an incredible amount of history, and they should really be in the top tier of Italian football. As it stands they’re currently sitting in Serie B, after relegation a couple of seasons ago. 

In case you didn’t know Parma is the club where Carlo Ancelotti first made his name, it is also where Hernan Crespo came through. During the 90s, they were often challenging for titles, winning cups whilst playing attractive football at the same time.

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It would be great seeing them climb back to the top of Italian football, especially considering the current shift in power that is taking place in Italy. 

In their squad they currently have veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who is a legend of the game, as well as some decent youngsters with plenty of potential. 

FM23: Valencia 

Valencia have had their own successes over the years, particularly during the 00s, when they went a long way in the Champions League. Yet, in recent years they have struggled both on and off the pitch, with key players leaving and their finances dipping. 

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So it is time for them to reach the big time, especially now they have so many good youngsters at the club. It is a team with bags of potential that could climb into the Champions League places with a few key players added to strengthen certain areas. You will have to be shrewd with your signings though, as they don’t have a huge amount of money anymore. 

FM23: Ajax 

Another season where Ajax have a massive squad rebuild on their hands. Seems like a club that could do with a great manager to shape the team, continue to dominate the Eredivisie, and maybe make another dramatic UCL run? Ajax are definitely a fun save to try in FM23.

FM23: Aston Villa 

Villa have done well in recruiting a squad with some very talented players. They produce great prospects and have owners that are willing to spend. Managing Aston Villa seems like an exciting job in FM 23, and your goal will be to get a talented squad performing as they should. 

FM23: Braga 

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 Braga have never won the Portuguese Liga Nos, but they might be the most well-equipped club to use to end the Sporting, Porto, and Benfica domestic dominance. 

FM23: Como 

 Italian Serie B side Como are full of ambition. With Dennis Wise as president and some good business in the transfer window, steering the historic club back to the top flight could be a fun challenge on FM 23.

FM23: Malaga 

Malaga only narrowly avoided relegation to the Spanish third flight last season and are already struggling to find form again this season. One of the FM players’ favorite teams look like they could do with a brilliant manager to turn their fortunes around. The challenge is that you don’t have much money to work with here. Can you manage a miracle for the Albicelestes?

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FM23: Salzburg 

RB Salzburg in Austria are a growing team known for producing exceptional prospects. Do you want to focus on managing the team as a talent factory for Europe’s elite or turn them into one of Europe’s elite? Salzburg are definitely among the best saves you should try this year. 

FM23: Saint Ettiene 

Saint Ettiene are the most successful club in France, but this year, that record could soon be taken away from them by PSG. It’s not only that Les Verts lack a team that can compete with the Parisians; they’ve also been relegated to the second division. Your goal will be to quickly return Saint Ettiene to Ligue 1 and help build a team capable of restoring them to the top of French football.