Football Manager 2019: Complete Guide

A practical guide to Football Manager 2019: setting up a save, the FM19 tactics module, training, squad building, transfers and finances, match-day management, and the habits that separate a relegation battle from a dynasty.

Researched September 2026 — current as of the final update 19.3.5 (June 2019); FM19 receives no further patches or official database updates. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Before You Start

Store status (September 2026): Football Manager 2019 is no longer sold on Steam; its store page reads "Football Manager 2019 is no longer available on the Steam store." If you already own it, it stays in your library and remains playable offline. New buyers should pick a current Football Manager instead.

FM19 launched on November 2, 2018 and SEGA later described it as the fastest-selling, best-selling and most-played FM to that point. It's still a very playable, lighter-on-hardware entry, and many players stick with long-running FM19 saves. It is no longer updated, so the player database reflects the 2018-19 season unless you use community data updates. Newer yearly entries exist (FM20 followed in November 2019), so if you want current squads, play a newer game; if you already own it and want a stable, well-understood match engine and a big modding scene, FM19 is still a good pick.

What FM19 added: a rebuilt tactics module with preset tactical styles and three phases of instructions, a training overhaul with sessions and schedules, New Manager Induction led by your assistant, a fully licensed Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, VAR and goal-line technology in competitions that used them, agent feedback during transfer talks, and a refreshed interface.

Quick Start

1. Pick a club that matches your time budget. A mid-table club in a league you know is the best first save. Giants have huge expectations; tiny clubs have tiny budgets.
2. Do the New Manager Induction. It walks you through tactics, training, scouting and the board. It's genuinely useful the first time.
3. Start from a tactical style preset. Pick one that suits your squad, then adjust. Don't build a tactic from zero on day one.
4. Delegate what you don't enjoy. Friendlies, training, press conferences, contract renewals for youth — the assistant can handle them.
5. Read the board and fan expectations. Your job security depends on meeting the board's season target, not on playing pretty football.
6. Balance the wage budget. Wages kill clubs faster than transfer fees. Keep total wages under the limit the board gives you.
7. Use your scouts. Set scouting focus to the positions and budget you actually need.
8. Check player happiness and dynamics. Unhappy key players and a split dressing room tank results.
9. Save often and keep a backup save. FM crashes are rare, but a corrupted long-term save hurts.

Setting Up a Save

• Leagues loaded: Load the leagues you care about plus a few feeder nations. More leagues means a richer transfer market but slower processing.
• Database size: Medium or Large is a good balance of realism and speed.
• Manager profile: Past experience and qualifications affect how players and boards see you. A "Sunday League Footballer" start is harder but more rewarding.
• Fake players: You can choose to add fake players to fill smaller nations' squads.

The FM19 Tactics Module

FM19 reorganized tactics around a tactical style, a mentality, and team instructions split into phases.

Tactical style presets

When you create a tactic you can choose a starting style, including Gegenpress, Tiki-Taka, Vertical Tiki-Taka, Control Possession, Wing Play, Route One, Fluid Counter-Attack, Direct Counter-Attack and Catenaccio. Each preset sets a formation, mentality, roles and instructions that fit the philosophy.

Rule of thumb: pick the style your current squad can already play. Build toward your dream style through transfers over time.

Mentality

FM19 uses seven mentalities, from Very Defensive through Defensive, Cautious, Balanced, Positive, Attacking to Very Attacking. Mentality shifts how far forward your team plays, how much risk it takes and its tempo and width. Use a more cautious setting away at stronger teams and more attacking at home against weaker ones.

Team instructions by phase

• In Possession — passing directness, tempo, width, where to attack, final-third behavior.
• In Transition — what happens when you win or lose the ball: counter or hold shape, counter-press or regroup, how the goalkeeper distributes.
• Out of Possession — defensive line height, line of engagement, pressing intensity, tackling, whether to use offside trap.

Roles and duties

Each position has roles (for example Ball-Playing Defender, Wing-Back, Inverted Wing-Back, Ball-Winning Midfielder, Deep-Lying Playmaker, Box-to-Box Midfielder, Advanced Playmaker, Inside Forward, Winger, Target Man, Advanced Forward, Poacher, False Nine) and a duty (Defend, Support, Attack). Balance is everything:

• Don't have too many Attack duties; you'll get cut open on the break.
• Pair a creator with a runner in midfield.
• Mix a striker who drops deep with a winger or midfielder who runs beyond.

Role cheat sheet by position

Practical pairings that rarely fail:

• Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend or Support) + Box-to-Box Midfielder in a midfield two.
• Inside Forward (Attack) on one flank + Winger (Support) on the other, so one side cuts in and the other stretches the pitch.
• Deep-Lying Forward or False Nine + an Advanced Forward or Inside Forward to make runs into the space the dropping striker leaves.
• One Wing-Back on Attack, the other on Support, never both bombing on Attack against a strong side.

Familiarity

New tactics take time for players to learn. Stick with one or two tactics and let familiarity build instead of changing everything every week.

Training

FM19's training overhaul gives you schedules made up of sessions: general physical and tactical work, match preparation, recovery, set pieces and individual focus.

Practical approach:

• Let your assistant or coaches run training on your first save. The defaults are sensible.
• Watch condition and injury risk. Heavy schedules raise injury risk, especially in congested fixture periods.
• Individual training focus on young players accelerates specific attributes or new positions.
• Mentoring groups pair experienced players with youngsters to pass on personality traits. The 19.3.4 update allowed mentoring in non-first-team squads.
• Hire good coaches. Coach star ratings in each training area matter.

Squad Building

• Two players per position for a first team, with youth or backup covering depth.
• Personality matters. Professional, Resolute and Model Citizen types develop and behave better than Temperamental or Unambitious ones.
• Home-grown rules apply in many competitions; check squad registration rules before selling academy graduates.
• Loans. Loan young prospects to clubs where they will play; minutes help development.
• Youth intake. Your academy produces an intake each year. Good youth facilities and a strong Head of Youth Development matter.

Transfers and Finances

• Wage structure over transfer fees. A big fee is paid over time; wages come out every month forever.
• Use scouting reports and attribute knowledge. Unknown attributes mean you're guessing.
• Agent feedback during negotiations tells you if you're close to a deal. Listen to it.
• Add-ons and instalments lower up-front costs; sell-on clauses help smaller clubs.
• Free agents and expiring contracts are the best value, especially on the final day of the window.
• Sell at the right time. Players in their late twenties with big values are often worth cashing in.
• Don't blow the budget in year one. Boards care about finances; overspending leads to reduced budgets or worse.

Match Day

• Pre-match briefing helps set your approach against the opponent's style.
• Team talks. Match tone to the situation: encouragement for a nervous side, demands for a complacent one. Avoid aggressive talks every week.
• Watch key highlights, not every minute. Check the stats: shots, possession, player ratings, and the "Analysis" screen for where you're conceding.
• In-game changes. Adjust mentality and a couple of instructions, not the whole tactic. Use substitutions early if a player is tired or on a yellow.
• VAR and goal-line technology appear in competitions that use them in real life.

Your First Season: a Checklist

Set Pieces

Set pieces are one of the most reliable edges in FM's match engine. The set-piece creator lets you assign takers and runners for corners, free kicks and throw-ins.

• Corners: put your best aerial players (Heading, Jumping Reach, Strength) on the near/far post attack roles, keep a couple of players back to cover counters.
• Takers: use players with high Corners and Free Kick Taking; delivery quality matters more than power.
• Defending set pieces: mark the opponent's biggest aerial threats with your tallest defenders and keep a player on the post if your keeper is weak in the air.
• Revisit set pieces when your squad changes; a departed centre-back can leave a hole in your routine.

Scouting and Recruitment

• Scouting focus: send scouts to regions or competitions that match your budget; tiny clubs get far more value from lower leagues and nearby nations.
• Scout knowledge: attributes stay hidden or shown as ranges until your scouts know the player. Low knowledge means guesswork.
• Recommendations: set clear criteria (position, age, maximum fee and wage) so the assistant's shortlist is useful.
• Personality and hidden traits: scout reports flag concerns like poor professionalism or fitness; don't ignore them to save a few quid.
• Data vs. star ratings: star ratings are relative to your squad and staff opinion; always read the attributes and report text.

Board, Media and Squad Dynamics

• Board confidence is split into areas such as match results, finances and club vision. A poor league run can be offset by staying in budget and meeting other objectives.
• Press conferences are mostly safe to delegate; answer them yourself when you want to motivate or defuse a player.
• Squad dynamics: leaders in the hierarchy influence the dressing room. Selling a popular senior player can upset the group; talk to key players before big changes.
• Promises (playing time, signings, facilities) are tracked; keep a note of what you promised and when it's due.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too many attacking duties and an exposed defense.
• Constant tactical changes so familiarity never builds.
• Ignoring wages and running out of budget.
• Signing players who don't fit your style.
• Harsh team talks every match that tank morale.
• Overtraining during busy fixture periods and piling up injuries.
• Ignoring promises. Break too many promises to players and dressing room morale collapses.

Advanced Tips

• Build around a core. Keep the spine (goalkeeper, center-back pairing, central midfield, striker) stable for years.
• Use set-piece routines. Well-designed corners and free kicks win tight games.
• Scout feeder leagues. Cheaper nations produce undervalued talents.
• Staff matter. Better coaches, physios, and a Director of Football change your long-term trajectory.
• Opposition instructions. Close down or tightly mark the opponent's playmaker; show a weak-footed winger onto their weak foot.
• Community data updates and skins. Because official updates ended, many FM19 players use community-made data updates, logos and kits. Only install from reputable FM community sites.

FAQ

Is FM19 still updated? No. The last patch was 19.3.5 in June 2019. The player data reflects the 2018-19 season.

What's the best tactic in FM19? There isn't one universal answer. Presets like Gegenpress or Fluid Counter-Attack work well when your squad fits them. Pick the style your players suit.

Which club should I start with? A mid-table club in a league you follow. You get a reasonable budget without huge expectations.

Does FM19 have the Bundesliga licensed? Yes. FM19 was the first entry with a fully licensed Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, including official logos, kits and player faces.

Can I delegate training? Yes, your assistant and coaches can run it, and it's a sensible default for new players.

Can I still buy FM19? Not on Steam: the store page says it is no longer available. Owners can still download and play it. For current squads and features, buy the latest Football Manager.

Does FM19 run on Linux? Not natively. FM19 dropped the Linux edition the series had offered since late 2013; it shipped for Windows and macOS (plus mobile and Switch versions).

Why does my team keep conceding on the counter? Usually too many Attack duties, a very high line, or full-backs and wing-backs both bombing forward. Drop one duty to Support and check your transition instructions.

Sources

• Football Manager 2019 — Wikipedia
• Football Manager 2019 on Steam (feature list and update notes)
• FM19 update notes on Steam news (19.3.x)
• FM19 Steam achievements
• FM19 19.3.5 update announcement (June 3, 2019)