Football Manager 22's beta has recently been released, with the full release set for November 9th, 2021. The popular series is set to expand its audience even further with this year's iteration, as the game is set to launch on Microsoft's Game Pass service for both PC and Xbox, which will likely bring a huge wave of new players to the management series.
One question that both new and experienced players will simultaneously have is what team they should manage. This question is far harder than it may seem, as there are over 100 leagues to choose from in Football Manager 22, each with around 20 teams in them. Although there is an endless amount of choice available, there are a handful of teams that provide a particularly interesting challenge in this year's game.
6 Derby County
Financial difficulties are, of course, one of the worst things that a club can go through, as it can sometimes result in a club freefalling down divisions or even ceasing to exist entirely. Unfortunately, this bleak future could be around the corner for Derby Country, as they were recently deducted 12 points for entering administration.
Consequently, Derby County may seem like the last club that some people would want to manage, though, for Football Manager players, the side poses an enticing challenge. There will be virtually no money to work with, and relegation is a serious threat in the first season, but being able to turn Derby's fortunes around would bring a level of satisfaction and reward that few other sports games can provide.
5 Newcastle United
Although not all of them will admit it, most Football Manager players love having tons of money to spend, enabling them to rebuild a team in their image. For those looking for the tantalizing combination of money to spend and a team to rebuild, Newcastle United provides the perfect opportunity.
Newcastle recently became the wealthiest team in the world after being purchased by the Saudi Public Investment Fund for $420m. The Saudi Public Investment Fund's purchase is barely pocket change to them, as they're reportedly worth $433bn, instantly making Newcastle United the richest team in the world.
Unsurprisingly, this means anyone who manages Newcastle United in Football Manager 22 will have a huge sum of cash to work with, allowing them to completely rebuild the side. With so much money to spend, however, expectations will be high, so the manager will need to start bringing trophies to Tyneside sooner rather than later if they want to keep their job.
4 Barcelona
The players, board members, and fans of Barcelona all knew that it was going to be a difficult time when Lionel Messi eventually left the club. However, not many people, even Messi himself reportedly, knew that he was going to leave until a few days before it was official after it became clear that Barcelona 'couldn't accommodate Messi's contract,' despite it being verbally agreed.
Not only did this leave Barcelona no time to plan a rebuild, but Messi also left Barcelona at their lowest point since he made his debut. The club's days as a trophy magnet are in the past, and the underperforming squad, questionable manager, and reported debt of $1.6bn has left some fans believing that a return to those days is many years away.
One of the beauties of sport, however, is that anything can happen, so the prospect of taking over Barcelona, and trying to bring back their glory days, is a tempting one.
3 Any Vanarama North/South Side
For those wanting the quintessential Football Manager challenge, they'll need to pick a team in England's bottom division and work their way to the top. Some people like to stick with the same team throughout the journey, while others prefer to hop between jobs when a better one comes along; either way, the road to the Premier League provides the ultimate test in any Football Manager release and ultimately gives an incredibly satisfying feeling when the final promotion is secured.
For anyone who wants an even tougher challenge, Football Manager 22 lets players start the game unemployed, offering the ultimate mountain to climb as players start with little more than a CV.
2 Arsenal
Believe it or not, it's been nearly 20 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League title. The team has spent much of this time being mocked for barely scraping the Champions League spots, but even that is out of reach for them currently. Moreover, with two 8th place finishes on the bounce, a return to the top isn't looking imminent for the London club.
This provides an obvious challenge - to rebuild Arsenal, win them a Premier League trophy, and maybe even their first-ever Champions League. This task certainly won't be easy, though it's a good option for those who want the board to give them some time to rebuild, as Arsenal's expectations aren't too high as things stand.
1 Any Ligue 1 Side Other Than PSG
Barcelona's loss is PSG's game, as the team has recently shocked its fanbase and the sport's entire landscape by signing Lionel Messi. The Argentinian has joined a frightening front three that also includes Mbappe and Neymar, making PSG runaway favorites for the league title in France this year.
Unfortunately for some, many people are predicting that PSG are about to start a huge spell of dominance at the top of Ligue 1, removing any true competition at the top of the league, similar to Bayern Munich's dominance in Germany. So, for anyone wanting a David vs. Goliath challenge, pick a Ligue 1 team other than PSG, and try to spoil the party in Paris.
Football Manager 22's beta is out now on PC. The full game is set to release on November 9th for PC, Mac, Xbox, and Mobile, while a Nintendo Switch version is currently in the works.