When it comes to the new football season, there are some certainties that football fans come to expect – transfers, new kits, and a new FIFA video game. The upcoming FIFA 23 will be the 30th and final edition of the EA Sports franchise. This is a result of a split between EA Sports and the football governing body that shares the same name of the game, FIFA. From next year the title will be called ‘EA Sports FC’.
Nevertheless, FIFA 23 will consist of all the features gamers and football fans have come to love. From the street-based VOLTA mode, to creating your own player and becoming part of a dominant team online in Pro Clubs, to the revenue-making Ultimate Team mode, FIFA 23 has plenty to offer. But for some, Career Mode is the main attraction.
Who are the best teams to manage on FIFA 23?
Career Mode gives players two options, and although Player Mode offers you the chance to be a young player and grow to become a world superstar, Manager Mode is the far more exciting option. With hundreds of teams and a whole host of leagues to choose from, manager mode offers countless possibilities. You can take charge of a club like Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, and finally lead them to European glory. But with a squad full of superstars, we think that’s a bit too easy. So here are our choices of the best teams to manage in career mode on FIFA 23.
10. FC Schalke 04
At one point, FC Schalke 04’s academy was one of Europe’s most influential with names such as Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, Leroy Sane, Joel Matip, and İlkay Gündoğan having spent time in Gelsenkirchen. However, The Miners have fallen on hard times in recent years. Mounting debts and numerous managerial changes led to relegation from the Bundesliga in 2021. However, after just one season away, Schalke are back.
Nevertheless, managing Schalke isn’t going to be an easy task with a weak squad and limited financial resources. Overall, it will be a long-term project, and investing time and money into resources could see Schalke become European regulars again.
9. Nottingham Forest
It’s been well documented that the two-time European Champions had a busy summer of recruitment, having returned to the English Premier League for the first time in 23 years.
With 22 arrivals, FIFA 23 gives you the opportunity to take up Welshman Steve Cooper’s role and shape the Tricky Trees. Your first task will be keeping Forest up in the EPL. Unfortunately, fans of the Reds won’t be able to play at the world-famous City Ground on release day.
8. Paris FC
Numerous major European cities such as London, Milan, Madrid, and Manchester, are home to multiple successful clubs, so why can’t Paris?
PSG’s neighbours, Paris FC, currently play in Ligue 2 so you’ll have to aim for promotion to have any chance to play against the likes of Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar Jr.
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7. Juventus
After being known as “Piemonte Calcio” in recent years (due to a licensing issue), Juventus make their return to the FIFA franchise this year. Accompanied by their home at Allianz Stadium, manager mode gives you the opportunity to restore glory for The Old Lady.
So far the return of Massimiliano Allegri as Head Coach hasn’t quite gone to plan. Having finished 4th in Serie A last season, they’ve had a relatively poor start to the 2022-2023 season despite adding the likes of Ángel Di María, Brazilian defender Gleison Bremer, and a returning (but injured) Paul Pogba to their roster.
Image by senol sengül from Pixabay
6. Galatasaray S.K.
With 22 Süper Lig titles, Galatasaray is the most successful club in Turkish football, with only five other clubs (Fenerbahçe (19), Beşiktaş (16), Trabzonspor (7), İstanbul Başakşehir (1) and Bursaspor (1)) being crowned league winners in its 63-year history. However, it’s been three years since Gala added to their record with last season ending in a disastrous 13th place.
This summer bought about plenty of change with a new chairman, new head coach (Okan Buruk), and several new notable names; Mauro Icardi, Juan Mata, Dries Mertens, and Lucas Torreira. With a smattering of familiar players (Bafétimbi Gomis, Patrick van Aanholt), Galatasaray in FIFA 23 has potential, both domestically, and (eventually) on the continent.
5. Manchester United
When it comes to Career Mode challenges in FIFA 23, you would assume becoming manager of Manchester United would be relatively easy. Nevertheless, with their “noisy neighbours” Manchester City becoming a ruthless force in recent years, it’s now been a decade since the Red Devils lifted the Premier League trophy with various managers coming and going along the way.
Now it’s the turn of former Ajax coach, Erik Ten Hag, to take up the mantle and aim to restore United to its former glory. FIFA 23 allows you to step into Ten Hag’s shoes. Thankfully you have an impressive squad at your disposal. Wantaway striker Cristiano Ronaldo, new signing Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes lead the overall player ratings at 90, 89, and 86 respectively. However, the challenge you’ll face is keeping superstar egos intact, while trying to catch up with the Cityzens on the other side of Manchester.
4. A.C. Monza
In 2019, A.C. Monza was playing in Serie C, however, it was a takeover a year earlier that has seen the club rise to Serie A for the very first time. In September 2018, Fininvest S.p.A, a holding company led
Silvio Berlusconi took over the club. The former Italy Prime Minister and owner of AC Milan, soon bought in former AC Milan CEO, Adriano Galliani, to join the board of directors.
Fast-forward to the present day, and two promotions later, A.C. Monza are determined to avoid their Serie A debut from being brief. This summer saw Berlusconi continue to invest in the playing squad. Promising defender Andrea Carboni and experienced goalkeeper Alessio Cragno joined from Caligari. While Andrea Ranocchia and Stefano Sensi came in from Inter. While The White and Reds smartly used the loan market by bringing in players such as Matteo Pessina (Atalanta), Andrea Petagna (Napoli), and Gianluca Caprari (Hellas Verona).
As the Serie A newcomers, you’re more than likely tasked with keeping Berlusconi’s side in Italy’s top tier at the first time of asking. Although it’s a difficult task, Berlusconi and Galliani Monza project is going to plan so far. They even recently upset Juventus.
3. OGC Nice
When it comes to successful Ligue 1 sides, OGC Nice aren’t one of the first names that come to mind. After all, their last success was the Coupe de France (the French Cup) in 1997. However, anyone with a casual interest in European football may have noticed something is happening on the French Riviera.
In 2019, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the richest men in Britain purchased OGC Nice for £88m. The Ineos Chemicals Group owner soon realised the club’s untapped potential. After finishing the 2020/2021 season in a disappointing 11th place, they bounced back last season, finishing 5th and qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League. While Christophe Galtier may have departed for PSG, the return of Lucien Favre sees OGC Nice maintain their growth at becoming Ligue 1 contenders.
This summer saw an injection of Premier League talent Kasper Schmeichel, Nicolas Pépé, Ross Barkley, and Aaron Ramsey joining promising French talents such as Khéphren Thuram, Sofiane Diop, and Jean-Clair Todibo. With a combination of experience and youth, and strong financial support, there’s plenty of potential for success with OGC Nice in FIFA 23.
2. Newcastle United
While some may what a hard challenge in career mode where you’re left with limited financial resources. It’s thought that won’t be the case if you are in charge of Newcastle United. Since their highly publicised Saudi-led takeover in late 2021, the Toon Army have been gradually shaping their squad to challenge for European places in the EPL. This past summer saw them invest in players such as Sven Botman, Nick Pope, and £63m striker, Alexander Isak.
With an abundance of wealth at your disposal, FIFA 23 gives you the chance to continue Newcastle United’s steady trajectory, or you could gamble, spend big, and aim for instant success. The choice is yours.
1. Stockport County
For some, managing Stockport County is the ultimate challenge in FIFA 23’s Career Mode. Having dropped out of the English Football League in 2011, it has been a long road back for the club based in Greater Manchester. Having spent time in the fifth and sixth tier of English football, playing “non-league” football, the purchase by local businessman and lifelong fan, Mark Scott, in 2020 spurred County on to return to the EFL for the first time in 11 years.
As one of EFL League 2’s new arrivals (the other being Grimsby Town who return after one season in the National League), you’ll be tasked with a tight budget as you aim to take Stockport County up the English football pyramid. We think managing Stockport is a great challenge to take on. Will you use your limited resources in your scouting network, to find exciting youth prospects? Or will you be a wise loan market specialist, seeking out promising talent further up the football pyramid? Either way, if you’re in for the long run, Stockport County are an ideal choice to manage in FIFA 23.
What new features does Manager Career Mode have in FIFA 23?
With the addition of several new features, FIFA 23’s Manager Career Mode looks to become more detailed while remaining an enjoyable playing experience.
Playable Highlights
The days of having to play full matches are no more. While previous FIFA’s have allowed players to jump in at certain points while they simulate a game, ‘Playable Highlights’ aims to streamline the process even more. In short, you take control of key moments in a game, both offensively and defensively.
EA has implemented a background system that evaluates both sides’ offensive and defensive strengths and weaknesses for each match. While also taking into account a team’s form, overall rating, fitness, and morale. For example, you’re on a wave of momentum and good form in the English Premier League, however, you’ve got to play Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Thankfully, ‘Playable Highlights’ will (or should) create more attacking moments than if you’re a struggling side with low morale.
Overall, the addition of ‘Playable Highlights’ should make Manager (and Player) Career Mode less time-consuming and easier to play.
Transfer Analysis
Every manager will have the aim of becoming a maverick in the transfer market. However, the introduction of ‘Transfer Analysis’ in Manager Career Mode will how well your transfer business is done. It will assess the financial and squad impact of your transfer business. Did you negotiate a good contract for your new striker? Did you need another attacking midfielder? Or is your new acquisition “one for the future”? ‘Transfer Analysis’ will tell you this by rating your transfers from A to F.
On a side note, EA has introduced a ‘Tension meter’ when you’re negotiating. Whether it’s with another manager or a possible signing, the meter will tell you how close a deal is to being declined.
New Menus
In the past navigating Career Mode in FIFA has been tedious for some. FIFA 23 sees the introduction of a streamlined menu system, allowing users to quickly navigate the menus while highlighting key areas such as squad depth, your youth academy, and more.
Dynamic Moments
While the inclusion of “cinematic cut scenes” can be repetitive, EA looks to add variation and realism to these with the inclusion of ‘Dynamic Moments” in FIFA 23.
Authentic Managers
FIFA 23 finally gives players the chance to become their favourite manager and have them lead any club of their choice (or create their own) to glory. Want to be Pep Guardiola in charge at Accrington Stanley? You now can! FIFA 23 will include over 350 authentic managers in Career Mode. While more than 30 of these have had their faces scanned for the game, giving you that added level of authenticity.
AI Tactics
Every year, EA involves the artificial intelligence (AI) of your game-controlled opposition. FIFA 23 is no different as your opponents become more intelligent, reacting to goals and tactical changes you make.
FIFA 23 is scheduled to be released worldwide on 30th September 2022 for PC, Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One, Microsoft Xbox Series X/S and Google Stadia.
