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Football Manager has always been at its best when shared with friends. Whether you are playing online together or taking turns in a classic hot seat setup, multiplayer saves bring new rivalries, laughter, and unforgettable stories. With Football Manager 26 on the horizon, here are four exciting ideas to try with your friends that combine real-world rivalries, creative challenges, and long-term goals.
The Portuguese Big 3: Benfica, Porto and Sporting
Portugal’s “Big Three” clubs offer a perfect setup for a competitive save. Benfica, Porto and Sporting CP are giants of Portuguese football, each with huge ambitions and passionate supporters. While all three have had success in European competitions, none have managed to dominate the continent for an extended period.
This save provides everything you need for an exciting rivalry. The clubs constantly try to outdo each other in domestic competitions and player recruitment. You can take one of them and attempt to break the cycle by becoming a true European powerhouse.
Twist ideas:
- Sign only players who are Portuguese or from Portuguese-speaking nations such as Brazil.
- Each season, sell one of your top players to a bigger league. This keeps things realistic and maintains the traditional selling nature of Portuguese football.
The challenge is simple but satisfying. Build your club, keep up with your rivals, and eventually make Portugal a dominant force in Europe.
The Edinburgh Rivalry: Hearts and Hibs
Head north to Scotland for a heated city rivalry. Hearts and Hibernian (Hibs) are two proud clubs from Edinburgh, both eager to break the long-standing dominance of Celtic and Rangers. Playing as either club offers a great multiplayer dynamic as you fight for local bragging rights while also trying to lift national silverware.
Hibs are often seen as the underdogs, while Hearts have a stronger recent record. Either way, both clubs have loyal fanbases and big expectations. If you have more friends, you can expand the challenge by adding Dundee, Dundee United, or Aberdeen into the mix.
Twist ideas:
- Use only Scottish players or limit yourself to British and Irish players.
- Focus entirely on youth development and try to win using only homegrown players.
- For an ultra-hard mode, sign only players born in Edinburgh.
The New York Showdown: NY City FC and NY Red Bulls
The Big Apple is home to two major MLS clubs, New York City FC and New York Red Bulls. Despite their resources and fanbases, the pair have only one MLS Cup between them. Both sides have different philosophies which make this rivalry ideal for multiplayer.
New York City FC are part of the global City Football Group and have major financial backing. Red Bulls focus heavily on their academy and player development. With the complex rules of the MLS such as salary caps, drafts, and designated players, mastering this league is a challenge on its own.
Twist ideas:
- Build your squads around youth players and aim to develop the best academy in the United States.
- Try to improve the American national team by focusing on domestic talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
- Work together to make Major League Soccer one of the most respected competitions in world football.
This setup combines competition with cooperation as you both represent New York while aiming to grow the sport in the United States.
The Celebrity Owners’ Challenge: Birmingham, Wrexham and Swansea
Few stories in modern football are as entertaining as the rise of celebrity-owned clubs. In the Championship, three teams with famous backers make for a brilliant multiplayer save.
Birmingham City have NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority shareholder. Wrexham are powered by the Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, while Swansea City count Snoop Dogg and Luka Modrić among their investors. Together, these clubs provide an ideal base for a creative save filled with personality and storylines.
Twist ideas:
- Aim to reach the Premier League with your celebrity-backed club and become a global brand.
- Include American players in your squads to reflect the international influence behind your ownership.
- Grow your club’s reputation worldwide by signing players from new markets to boost shirt sales and fan engagement.
Each club can create its own narrative, from Brady chasing Premier League trophies to Snoop Dogg turning Swansea into a global sensation.
- Date Created
- 23 Oct 2025 03:38:59
- Date Updated
- 23 Oct 2025 12:10:05
- Last Comment
- 23 Oct 2025 03:38:59
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