The FM Technical Area - A Football Manager Podcast19 Maalis 2025

S5E4: An Alternate Approach to Squad Management

Welcome to the FM Technical Area, your FM podcast brought to you by Gaffer Graemo.

In this episode, we delve into the powerful concepts of Structured Rotation and the Core-16 Approach —strategies designed to revolutionize how you build and manage your Football Manager 2024 squads.

We’ll explore:

✅ What Structured Rotation is and why it’s essential for fitness, morale, and tactical consistency.

✅ The Core-16 Model: Building your squad around 16 key players, ensuring everyone stays match-fit and developing.

✅ How real-world clubs like Feyenoord, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Villarreal, and Red Bull Salzburg use this approach to punch above their weight.

✅ How to apply these methods in your FM24 saves to create a cohesive, flexible, and successful team.

Plus, we’ll also touch on alternative squad-building philosophies from Vasco da Gama, Dynamo Berlin, Athletic Club, and more!

Whether you’re chasing glory with a giant club or building something special with an underdog, this episode offers valuable insights to transform your saves.

Hit play, take notes, and get ready to optimize your FM24 experience!

Necessary Reading

The Ponta de Lanca Tweets that Inspired the pod

A FM Old Timer's Piece:

http://afmoldtimer.home.blog/2023/06/01/the-art-of-youth-development-football-manager/

🎙️ Have questions or want to share your experience? Drop them in, and we’ll feature them in our Listener Questions segment!

🎙️ Listen now & get involved in the challenge!

Just before you head off, why not subscribe (if you haven't already), leave a positive review, or share on your socials with your followers if you’ve enjoyed the podcast?

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