Welcome to Guide to Football Manager, your comprehensive guide to FM. Learn how to become a top manager and master tactics, training and much more.
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The full contents of the guide are shown below.
1. Updates
17/07/2017: Added central attack role categories to Role Categories guide.
12/07/2017: Added central midfield and the flanks role categories to Role Categories guide.
03/07/2017: New Role Categories guide added to Tactical Theory. Further analysis of central midfield, the flanks and central attack role categories to be added.
19/03/2017: New Responsibility Distribution guide added to Tactical Theory.
27/02/2017: Revised Positional Responsibilities guide in Tactical Theory.
09/01/2017: New System Fluidity and Playing Styles guides added to the Tactics section.
31/12/2016: New Playing Styles guides added to Tactical Theory.
11/12/2016: New Tactical Structures guide added to Tactical Theory.
14/11/2016: New Tactical Roles and Positional Responsibilities guides added to Tactical Theory.
13/07/2016: Tactical Theory guides will now be published on GuidetoFootball.com.
2. Tactics
2.1. Introduction 
An introduction to creating tactics.
2.2. Tactical Theory
An analysis of tactical theory, including:
- Overview
- Tactical Objectives
- Use of Space
- Tactical Dynamics
- Playing Positions
- Playing Methods
- Attacking Methods
- Defensive Methods
- Playing Systems
- Playing Styles
- Phases of Play
2.3. System Fluidity
How to apply system fluidity to your team's playing system using the Team Shape team instructions, along with details of other appropriate types of team and player instruction to use with each type of system fluidity.
2.4. Playing Styles
How to create a suitable playing style for your team using team and player instructions.
2.5. Assessing Your Team
How to evaluate your players so that you can create a suitable tactic.
2.6. Choosing a Tactical Style
2.7. Tactical Instructions
An analysis of the tactical instructions that you can use to create your tactic, including:
2.8. Creating a Tactical System
2.9. Creating a Tactical Style
- Overview
- Attacking Football
- Wide Play Football
- Long Ball Football
- Possession Football
- Counter Attacking Football
2.10. Choosing a Formation
How to fit your players into a tactical framework.
2.11. Team Instructions
An explanation of Mentality, Team Shape and Specific Team Instructions to help you to create a suitable Tactical Style.
2.12. Player Instructions
How to refine your tactical style using appropriate Roles and Duties for your Goalkeeper, Central Defenders, Central Midfielders, Wide Players and Strikers, how to make use of Playmaker & Target Man roles and how to gain extra control over your players using Specific Player Instructions.
2.13. Set Pieces
How to prepare set pieces effectively to give your team an extra advantage.
2.14. Appointing a Captain
A complete list of points to consider when choosing your team's leader.
3. Players
3.1. Player Ability & Performance
The important factors that determine current ability, potential ability and performance.
3.2. Player Attributes
Explanations of all attributes and details of Attribute Combinations needed for different abilities.
3.3. Player Personalities
Explanations of all personality attributes and advice on which personalities to look for in players.
3.4. Player Preferred Moves
Explanations of all the preferred moves and suggested types of player they can be useful for.
4. Staff
4.1. Introduction
An introduction to staff.
4.2. Staff Roles
Explanations of the responsibilities and required qualities of each role, including detailed analyses of the manager, coaches, scouts and physios.
4.3. Signing Staff
What to consider when hiring a backroom team.
5. Training
5.1. Introduction
An introduction to training your players.
5.2. Team Training
How to use General Training and Match Training.
5.3. Individual Training
How to use Training Reports and improve your players with Individual Training Focus, New Position Training and Preferred Move Training.
5.4. Assigning Coaches
How to allocate training categories to your coaching staff.
6. Squad
6.1. Squad Building
How to put together and maintain a well balanced squad structure.
6.2. Player Wages
How and why to maintain a good wage structure and when to renew contracts.
6.3. Player Morale & Relationships
How to manage your squad's morale, build relationships and improve team cohesion.
6.4. Player Fitness
How to manage the fitness of your squad.
6.5. Pre-Season Preparation
How to prepare your squad effectively for the start of a new season using training and friendly matches.
6.6. Player Development
How to improve your young players to reach their potential ability through Youth Training, Player Tutoring and Match Experience.
6.7. Scouting
How to optimise your club's Scouting Knowledge, when and where to send your scouts on Scouting Assignments, how to use your Scout Reports to assess potential transfer targets and how to find players using Player Search.
6.8. Signing Players
How to sign players for your club, including advice on Making a Transfer Offer, Making a Loan Offer and Contract Negotiations.
6.9. Selling Players
When and how to sell players from your squad.
7. Match Day
7.1. Preparing for the Match
How to prepare your team for each match and select your starting line-up, and how to make use of Tactical Planning to exploit opposition weaknesses and counter opposition strengths.
7.2. Team Talks
How to choose team talks in different scenarios, along with a reference guide for Types of Team Talk.
7.3. Opposition Instructions
Which instructions to use against which players.
7.4. During the Match
How to make tactical changes in response to different match scenarios.