Sponsors
Advertise
🎯
FM25 & FM26

Football Manager Tactics Guide

Master tactics in Football Manager with AI-powered advice on formations, roles, and team instructions.

Tactics are the heart of Football Manager success. Whether you're building a possession-based system or a high-pressing counterattack, understanding how to set up your team is crucial.

Understanding Tactical Styles

**Possession-Based Football** Control the game through patient build-up. Works best with technical players and a high defensive line.

**Gegenpressing** Intense pressing immediately after losing the ball. Requires high stamina and work rate across the squad.

**Counter-Attack** Absorb pressure and hit teams on the break. Ideal for underdogs or teams with pace in attack.

**Tiki-Taka** Extreme possession with short passing and movement. Needs players with excellent technique and off-the-ball.

Key Settings to Master

**Team Instructions** - Mentality: Determines risk vs safety - Width: How spread your players are - Tempo: Speed of passing - Pressing: How aggressively you win the ball back

**Player Roles** Understanding player roles is essential. A Mezzala plays differently than a Box-to-Box midfielder even in the same position.

**In-Possession vs Out-of-Possession** FM separates these - master both for tactical completeness.

Pro Tips

  • 1.Start with a preset tactic and tweak gradually
  • 2.Watch full matches to understand what's happening
  • 3.Player attributes must match role requirements
  • 4.Use opposition instructions for key threats
  • 5.Check analyst reports for tactical insights

Ask FootballGPT

What tactic works best for a newly promoted team?

How do I set up a gegenpressing system in FM?

My strikers aren't scoring - what settings should I check?

How do I stop conceding from set pieces?

Best formation for controlling possession?

Expert FM Advisors

Related Guides

Related Keywords

fm tactics guidefootball manager tacticsfm25 tacticsfm26 tacticsbest fm tacticsfootball manager formationsfm tactic tipsfm possession tacticfm counter attack

Get Personalized FM Advice

Ask our AI advisors specific questions about tactics in Football Manager.

Football Manager Tactics Guide - FM25/FM26 Tips | FootballGPT | FootballGPT