FM Scouting Guide

Scouting in Football Manager separates good managers from great ones. Finding undervalued talent, building efficient scouting networks, and making data-driven recruitment decisions transforms clubs.

Understanding Scouting

**Why Scouting Matters** - **Uncover hidden gems**: Players your rivals don't know about - **Accurate valuations**: Know what players are really worth - **Better decisions**: Data-driven recruitment beats guesswork - **Cost-effective**: Find cheaper alternatives to expensive targets

**Scouting Knowledge** Your scouting knowledge determines how much information you see. High knowledge regions show more attributes and accurate star ratings. Low knowledge regions show limited data and questionable ratings.

Building Your Scouting Network

**Chief Scout** Your Chief Scout determines scouting quality. Key attributes: - **Judging Player Ability (JPA)**: Assessing current ability (15+ ideal) - **Judging Player Potential (JPP)**: Assessing potential (15+ ideal) - **Determination**: Work ethic and dedication

Don't cheap out on your Chief Scout. A great one finds stars; a poor one recommends mediocrity.

**Scouting Staff** Hire scouts with: - **JPA and JPP**: 14+ for first team scouts - **Determination**: 13+ (affects work rate) - **Adaptability**: Important for international scouting - **Knowledge**: Regions you want to cover

**Scout Assignments** Assign scouts to: - **Specific regions**: South America, Europe, Africa - **Specific nations**: Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Netherlands - **Specific competitions**: Champions League, Copa Libertadores - **Next opposition**: Pre-match analysis

Rotate assignments based on priorities. Focus on talent-rich regions during recruitment windows.

Scouting Assignments

**Region Scouting** Assign scouts to talent-rich regions: - **South America**: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia - **Europe**: Portugal, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Spain - **Africa**: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana

**Competition Scouting** Scout competitions to find emerging talent: - **Youth tournaments**: U20 World Cup, UEFA Youth League - **Lower leagues**: Championship, Eredivisie, Primeira Liga - **International competitions**: Copa America, AFCON

**Next Opposition** Always scout your next opponent. Analyst reports identify weaknesses, key players, and tactical approaches. Use this information to adjust tactics.

Using the Scouting Centre

**Player Search Filters** Use filters to find specific profiles: - **Age**: 18-23 for wonderkids, 25-29 for immediate impact - **Position**: Filter by role requirements - **Attributes**: Set minimum thresholds (e.g., Finishing 13+ for strikers) - **Value**: Under £10m for budget options - **Contract**: Expiring contracts for free transfers

**Shortlists** Create shortlists for: - **Wonderkids**: High potential youngsters - **Position-specific**: Strikers, centre-backs, midfielders - **Free agents**: Contract expiries - **Future targets**: Players to revisit in 6-12 months

**Comparison Tool** Compare multiple players side-by-side. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and value for money. Don't rely on star ratings alone - check actual attributes.

Finding Wonderkids

**What is a Wonderkid?** Players aged 20 or under with high potential ability (PA 150+). They develop into world-class players if managed correctly.

**Where to Find Wonderkids** - **Top academies**: Barcelona, Ajax, Benfica, Santos - **Lower league wonderkids**: Released by big clubs, playing in lower divisions - **International youth tournaments**: U20 World Cup, UEFA Youth League - **South America**: Brazil and Argentina produce wonderkids constantly

**Key Indicators** - **High potential star rating**: 4+ stars - **Good personality**: Driven, Ambitious, Professional - **Key attributes**: Already strong in critical areas for their position - **Determination**: 13+ (essential for development)

**Scouting Packages** Use comprehensive scouting packages on wonderkids. Get full reports including hidden attributes, personality, and development trajectory.

Hidden Gems

**What Are Hidden Gems?** Quality players overlooked by bigger clubs. Often play in lower leagues, smaller nations, or unfashionable positions. Cheap, effective, and game-changing.

**Finding Hidden Gems** - **League 1 and League 2**: Released Premier League youth playing lower down - **Scandinavia**: Technically gifted players at cheap prices - **Eastern Europe**: Quality players in lower-profile leagues - **South America**: Talented players stuck in smaller leagues

**Using Data** Filter by attributes rather than reputation. A striker in League Two with Finishing 14, Pace 13, Composure 13 is a hidden gem regardless of star rating.

Opposition Analysis

**Pre-Match Reports** Scout next opposition thoroughly. Reports include: - **Tactical setup**: Formation, mentality, playing style - **Key players**: Creators, goalscorers, leaders - **Weaknesses**: Slow defenders, poor set piece defending, weak full-backs

**Adjusting Tactics** Use opposition analysis to adapt: - **Exploit weaknesses**: Target slow defenders with pace - **Nullify strengths**: Mark their playmaker tightly - **Set piece focus**: If they're weak at set pieces, practice corners

Scouting Budgets

**Balancing Costs** Scouting costs money. Hiring more scouts increases budget requirements. Balance thoroughness with affordability.

**Prioritising Spending** - **Chief Scout**: Invest heavily - this role is critical - **Regional scouts**: Cover talent-rich areas (South America, Europe) - **Specialist scouts**: Data analysts, opposition scouts

**Free Scouting** Use trials to scout players for free. Invite promising youngsters or free agents on trial, assess them in training, and sign if suitable.

Common Scouting Mistakes

**Relying on Star Ratings** Star ratings are estimates based on your current squad and staff's knowledge. Check actual attributes. A 3-star player might have the exact attributes you need.

**Ignoring Personality** Signing talented players with poor personalities (Casual, Temperamental, Controversial) causes dressing room issues and underperformance. Check personality reports.

**Not Scouting Opposition** Going into matches blind is amateur. Always scout next opposition. The analyst report gives tactical advantages.

**Overloading Scouts** Assigning too many scouting assignments spreads your scouts thin. Focus on priorities: next opposition, specific transfer targets, and key regions.

**Neglecting Youth Tournaments** Youth tournaments (U20 World Cup, UEFA Youth League) showcase future stars before they're expensive. Scout these competitions annually.

**Ignoring Lower Leagues** Premier League snobbery misses hidden gems. Some of the best bargains play in League One, League Two, and lower European leagues.

Data-Driven Scouting

**Using Performance Data** Check player stats: goals, assists, pass completion, tackles, interceptions. Context matters (quality of league, role in team) but data highlights performers.

**Heat Maps and Positioning** Heat maps show where players operate. Useful for assessing positional discipline and tactical fit.

**Comparison Reports** Compare transfer targets to your current players. If the target isn't better in key attributes, don't sign them.

**Tracking Development** Monitor shortlisted players over 6-12 months. Track attribute development, performances, and consistency. Identify risers before their value spikes.