Recently, we launched My FM Journal. It’s a really cool FM-specific notebook which can be used as a tool for your saves. It contains 5 seasons worth of content which got us thinking: What is the best 5 season challenge in Football Manager?
We asked you guys on Twitter, and the responses varied. Some said the likes of PSG and Newcastle, whereas others opted for more difficult challenges - Vanarama National League N/S to Premier League (5 promotions in 5 years). We took these options on board but ultimately felt that one challenge looked more intriguing then the others.
Get Derby County to Premier League in 5 seasons.
Derby County have been chosen by many as their FM22 save for many reasons, predominantly the fact that when you start a new save, they have a 12-point deduction.
Well, we did some digging and found a database replicating the hardships the club face in real life giving them a 21-point reduction (and giving Reading a 6-point deduction). You can download that database here.
You may be thinking that the points deduction is the only thing you’ll have to worry about if you take on the Derby County challenge? Well think again.
Due to the club being in administration, it is also under a transfer embargo meaning you can’t sign any players to add to the 15 players in the whole club over the age of 21.
However, you can make the challenge easier/more realistic and just have Wayne Rooney’s squad at your disposal by disabling the first transfer window. This means the remains of your first team and u23s won’t be poached by any club in the world - perhaps against your will (the board would otherwise accept any, and every, offer received.
If it still wasn't hard enough for you then hear this, 7 key players in the first team squad are injured, including the likes of Lee Buchanan, Krystian Bielik and Colin Kazim-Richards.
Let us know what you think of The 5 Season Derby County Challenge on twitter, or in our discord server. To complete the challenge in style, and to help support FM Base, check out My FM Journal and Document Your Success.