Football Manager is one of the biggest sports video games in the world and that’s a fact. The managing game goes deeper into the world of football with each new season, with thousands of new fans joining the “cult” each year. There’s a reason for it. No matter if you’re leading Barca to a triple crown or helping forgotten juggernauts reach the top of the best European leagues, there’s plenty of fun and excitement in the game.
However, there’s only one problem. Anyone who even has the slightest idea of managing a team can easily succeed if they play with Barca, Juventus, Manchester City and the likes. It’s fair to say that playing with these giants is easy since you have an open purse at your disposal and the biggest football superstars in the world. Picking a lowly team and getting them to the Champions League, however, is much more demanding, but also satisfying at the same time.
Before the season starts, bookies provide odds for each of the teams to finish atop the league. If you pick, let’s say a Championship club from the middle of the table, the odds won’t be impressive. Just like in any sport, there are favourites and underdogs in football as well. In order to win, punters use their own money and bonuses as well. Free bets, deposit and no deposit bonuses and other goodies can help you win your first bet if you’re willing to try. One of the best when it comes to free bets and bonuses is Bet365. A global leader in online betting, Bet365 impresses with its football offer. If you’re a new customer, click here to get bet365 promo code and start betting. The online bookie offers odds on each of the teams featured below. Aston Villa, for example, is 4/11 not to be relegated from the Premier League after finally getting back to top flight. Malaga’s odds for the Copa del Rey stand at 250/1, while Monaco’s odds for the Ligue 1 title are 33/1. With the 3. Liga set to start soon, you can also bet on all of 1860 Munich’s matches.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa recently secured their return to the Premier League thanks to wonderkids such as Tammy Abraham and Jack Grealish. Starting the season in the Championship, it will be difficult for you to take Villa to the PL. The team isn’t that well-tuned, so it’ll be a challenge to lead Aston Villa to the Premier League.
Developing wonderkids such as Grealish to world-class players is another reason why you’ll want to pick Villa. If you’re truly a good manager, top clubs will come knocking on your door for Grealish or Abraham among others.
Monaco
Now you’re probably thinking “But, Monaco is a top-tier club”. Well, remember the season they’ve had? Lacking players in key areas, Monaco isn’t fooling anyone with those world-class names such as Falcao in the team. The French side isn’t nowhere near the betting favourites for a Ligue 1 title, and shaping them into one is a real challenge.
The truth is that Monaco needs a reconstruction, but there are a few exciting players to build around. Get the transfers right while paying attention not to bankrupt the club, and there could be a new dynasty in France.
TSV 1860 Munich
Once a Bundesliga champion, 1860 Munich has fallen into the depths of oblivion. The downward spiral of the Munich-based team has been going on for years, and maybe you’re the man to get them back up. It will be a challenge since the team is chained to the bottom of 3.Bundesliga, but that’s what makes this pick so appealing.
If you can restore the glory of Munich’s oldest club (and the first Munich club to win a title), you can call yourself a great manager. This kind of feat might also make you a good manager in real life, to be honest.
Malaga
Remember the time when Malaga played a Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund? It wasn’t that long ago – the Spanish club’s sole CL quarter-final appearance came in 2013. Malaga could have easily went to the semi-finals if it wasn’t for Marco Reus and Felipe Santana’s stoppage time goals.
Since then, Malaga was relegated to the Segunda and remains unable to go back up. If you’re the right man for the job, you’ll help the team climb back to La Liga and develop exciting young products that will remind the fans of the glory days of Joaquin and Isco. If that fails, you always get the chance to try your best in Copa del Rey.