How to Win with Manchester City on Football Manager 2009: Team Guide, Transfers & Tactics
Manchester City 2008/09
League: English Premier League
Position Last Season: 9th
Media Prediction: 5th
Initial Transfer Budget: £55m
Total Wage Budget: £1.5m per week
Current Wage Total: £968k per week
Just a decade prior, Manchester City were languishing in the Second Division (now known as League One) and relied on a playoff win to begin their climb back to the Premier League. Things briefly looked brighter in the mid 2000s following a move from Maine Road to the City of Manchester Stadium, as well as a brief return to European football thanks to UEFA’s Fair Play scheme. This was followed by consecutive seasons narrowly avoiding relegation and a brief spell of optimism under new owner Thaksin Shinawatra and former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson. Controversy and disappointment swiftly followed as Shinawatra faced corruption charges in his native Thailand and Sven struggled to make a difference at pitchside.
But now, untapped potential awaits following the club’s purchase by Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group. New manager Mark Hughes acted quickly ahead of the 2008/09 season, signing players including Vincent Kompany and wonderkid Jô before a deadline day coup, Robinho, for a then record-breaking £32.5 million as the first signing of the new era. The new ownership brings untold millions with a goal of transforming the Citizens into a dominant force within English and European football, similar to Chelsea’s trajectory under Roman Abramovich.
Despite these new signings, the Citizens still struggled in their first season under this new ownership. Not even splashing the cash in January was enough to turn the club’s fortunes around, finishing even lower in the league table than the previous season as the new arrivals made little impact.
Take over the reins yourself and bolster the squad even further as you target European football or even a dark horse title challenge! Football Manager 2009 lets you wind back the clock and spend Sheik Mansour’s millions from the beginning of the summer transfer window.
You can immediately claim an improved £73m transfer budget and £1.7m wage budget by upping your start of season expectations from “top half” to “continental qualification through league finish”. Even higher figures are available if you want to aim even higher, though not by enough to justify the much stronger performances expected from your first season. Focus on challenging for Europe and, if you’re lucky, Champions League qualification should help boost the club’s finances (and momentum) even further.
Manchester City Players on Football Manager 2009 - First Team
Goalkeepers
1. Joe Hart
Hart is already an excellent shot stopper and showing signs of one day establishing himself as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, a position he already narrowly holds at Man City. But that’s largely only due to a lack of competition. Run with Hart as your starting keeper for now to fast track his development. You can always sign a more experienced goalkeeper in January, if he isn’t performing to your liking.
16. Kasper Schmeichel
The son of one of the Premier League’s greatest ever goalkeepers, and a future contender for a similar title. While Kasper Schmeichel is actually better at Distribution and One On Ones than Hart, he lags behind in other areas and offers a slightly weaker option overall. He also has a lower development ceiling, so limit Schmeichel’s usage to cup competitions or loan him out to maximise his eventual sell-on value.
13. Richard Martin
Essentially only an emergency goalkeeper, Richard Martin offers little to no value on or off the pitch. Already in the final year of his contract, Martin is only worth keeping around if you don’t plan on bringing a new goalkeeper in, whether that’s as your new first-choice or a better backup.
Defenders
2. Micah Richards
One of the most promising wonderkids in FM09, it’s great to have him already available and working on developing into an elite defender. Richards is primarily a centre back but arguably starts as Man City’s best right back option, until you head to the transfer market for a much needed upgrade in that position. He’s also already vice captain and a strong long-term contender to lead the team for the next decade. Make sure Richards gets plenty of playing time, otherwise he might not reach his in-game potential…
4. Nedum Onuoha
Think of Onuoha as the knockoff Micah Richards, both in terms of his current and potential ability. That isn’t to say Onuoha doesn’t have a role to play in your squad, he’s a natural at both right back and centre back, and could develop into a reasonable squad player with the right nurturing. Consider loaning Onuoha out for the first season, especially if you bring in a new first-choice right back.
15. Javier Garrido
A solid, if unspectacular, first-choice left back for your first season. Garrido is just 23 years old but unlikely to develop into a world class player. He can deliver for now but it’s worth spending some money on an upgrade when you can, then utilising Garrido as a back up and/or cup option until a good transfer offer comes in.
3. Michael Ball
Ball offers slightly more defensively than Garrido but lacks the same ability going forward. In particular, his Acceleration and Dribbling mean you don’t want to be relying on Ball to support attacks. Consider limiting Ball’s appearances to games where you’re already leading. Crucially, his contract is up at the end of the season, so it’s probably better to sell early and bring in an upgrade.
22. Richard Dunne
Club captain Dunne is a Man City veteran and remains the best centre back option despite the arrival of Vincent Kompany and Tal Ben-Haim. Dunne’s impressive Mental and defensive attributes make him a reliable hand to keep things steady at the back, while you work on improving other areas of the lineup. Once Richards starts becoming a viable first-team option, it might be time to cash in before Dunne’s attributes start declining.
33. Vincent Kompany
New signing Kompany has better overall Technical attributes than Dunne but lacks the same core defensive strengths that make the latter your strongest centre back. Kompany is still young but unlikely to develop into the world class player he became in real life. But, in FM09, he’s a versatile player capable of slotting down the middle of almost any formation, so it’s worth keeping him around as a reliable hand.
26. Tal Ben-Haim
Not quite as defensively talented as Dunne or Kompany, Ben-Haim is a reasonable backup option when you’re looking for a more experienced hand than Richards or Onuoha can offer in the first season. Start Ben-Haim in cup games for fitness and happiness purposes but prioritise giving Richards minutes if you have both of them on your bench. Consider selling him if an offer comes in, you’ll have plenty of stronger options available to sign from elsewhere.
36. Gláuber
Gláuber is very much a last resort kind of player that you’re unlikely to have much use for. His contract only lasts until the end of the season so it’s worth offering him out for sale on day one, especially considering you don’t really need to consider finding a replacement.
Midfielders
8. Shaun Wright-Phillips
Freshly re-signed from Chelsea, Wright-Phillips will most likely be your starting right midfielder or right winger, unless you sign somebody new in the first transfer window. Make the most of Wright-Phillips’ speed and ability to carry the ball into the attacking third.
5. Pablo Zabaleta
Zabaleta is a reliable rotation player who offers position versatility on the right side of the pitch, as well as central midfield. While Zabaleta can’t run up and down the right wing as quickly as first-choice options Micah Richards and Shaun Wright-Phillips, he can deputise for either, as well as being a better all rounder than Richards–at least during the first season. At just 23 years old, Zabaleta could fill that utility role for many years to come, though he’ll need some position training if you want him playing as a more effective right winger.
17. Martin Petrov
Although Petrov is technically the only left midfield/winger option at first, due to injuries and a lack of depth in that position. He’s a solid traditional winger with good speed and Crossing attributes, but that role fits awkwardly with Robinho’s playing style, which means Petrov is better suited to supporting target men like Benjani and Jô. Other teams quickly come knocking to sign Petrov, don’t be afraid to take the money and find a younger alternative or utilise Robinho as an inside forward.
11. Elano
Your main attacking outlet in midfield. Elano is a good all rounder who plays best as an AMC, but can also slot in as an attack-minded central midfielder or cover the right-hand side. Unless you’re playing with a defensive midfielder, it’s best to utilise Elano in his natural role.
19. Gelson Fernandes
No matter what midfield set up you’re using, Fernandes should fill the most defensive position. Crucially, he can play equally well as a DMC or MC, giving you flexibility to build your formation around him or Elano.
6. Michael Johnson
Johnson is Man City’s least versatile but most promising young central midfielder. Pair him with whichever of the above names is playing in the MC role and watch Johnson develop into a strong homegrown player. Johnson has a five-year contract with a reasonably low weekly wage, don’t squander his potential to become one of your most reliable players in that time.
7. Stephen Ireland
No matter how you’re using Elano, Ireland is his immediate backup option. Ireland is a natural central midfielder who can cover several other positions, making him an ideal bench player. Rotate Ireland in whenever Elano or your right midfielder/winger needs a rest. His minimal weekly wage on a three-year contract makes Ireland an incredibly low maintenance squad player, giving you plenty of time to improve the squad.
21. Dietmar Hamann
He may not be on the same level as Man City’s better central midfielders, but veteran Dietmar Hamann is still a reliable backup option, at least for the first season. The former Liverpool player still offers a solid albeit fairly stationary defensive pivot option. He could serve as the starting defensive midfielder for cup games, if you’re looking to rest Fernandes.
Strikers
10. Robinho
The first true marquee signing under Man City’s new owners, Robinho is the obvious first-choice striker with very little competition as the new season begins. His speed and dazzling combination of First Touch, Dribbling, and Flair make Robinho the team’s primary threat on goal. Robinho’s ability to play as an attacking midfielder or left winger/midfielder mean you might benefit from pushing him out to the left wing once Benjani is back to full fitness.
27. Benjani
Benjani is the ultimate team player and practically the anti-Robinho. His Teamwork and Work Rate mean he won’t score too many goals but he’s still a good target man who can hold up the ball, allowing wide players to get into more threatening positions. But Benjani starts the game out for up to 3 months with a thigh injury and will need time to regain match fitness before he can play a significant role.
14. Jô
A promising future prospect and solid backup/rotation option. Jô’s attribute profile is closer to Benjani than Robinho but he can easily deputise for either, especially if you’re playing with two strikers. Given his relatively high wages and transfer value, it might actually be worth cashing in on Jô to strengthen other areas of the squad once Benjani is back to full health.
25. Nery Castillo
A loanee from Ukrainian Premier League side Shakhtar Donetsk, Nery Castillo is best utilised as a cover player. Castillo’s ability to play as both a left winger and left midfielder give him some value if you don’t choose to sign another player for those positions, particularly while Benjani is out injured. If you do sign another left sided player, he’s an easy call to drop because his loan spell ends on New Year’s Day.
20. Felipe Caicedo
Easily the weakest striker in your first team squad, Felipe Caicedo isn’t likely to get much playing time unless you stick with a two striker formation, and even then his minutes will be limited once Benjani and Darius Vassell return to full fitness. But Caicedo actually has more growth potential than Jô, so don’t write him off yet. Instead, consider offering him out on loan.
Manchester City Players on Football Manager 2009 - Other Players
Fringe Players
18. Danny Mills
The former England right back has one year left on his contract with at least half of that sidelined by a damaged knee cap, and nowhere near the level required to have any value to the first team. Transfer list him and offer Mills out to clubs in January, when his impending return from injury might be enough to prompt an offer.
12. Darius Vassell
Ex-England striker Vassell is also out with a damaged knee cap but, unlike Mills, will be back before Christmas and could yet play a role in your team. If you sign any attacking players in the first season then it’s likely better to cash in Vassell in January, his contract is also up next summer.
9. Valeri Bojinov
A promising former wonderkid, Bojinov has a damaged achilles tendon that will keep him out of action for most of the upcoming season. But his career could still flourish and his versatility as a striker and right midfielder/winger make Bojinov a much more valuable long-term prospect, compared to the similarly profiled Vassell. Consider giving Bojinov some light appearances towards the end of the season, then loan him out for the following season to shake off the rust and get his development back on track.
U21 Prospects
28. Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge is Man City’s best young prospect behind Micah Richards. But his pathway to the first team is a little more competitive. Offer Sturridge out on loan, ideally at a Championship-level club where he can start banging in goals and build up some confidence to play in the Premier League the following season.
24. Ched Evans
A promising young Welsh striker who played well on loan at Norwich City in the Championship last season. Loan him around this level again and follow a similar development path as Sturridge. Who needs to sign world class strikers when you can create them at home?
29. Kelvin Etuhu
While Etuhu doesn’t have the same potential as Sturridge or Evans, he could provide valuable cover to the first team while you have several long-term injuries keeping other backup players out. But Etuhu simply doesn’t have a future at Man City once you start splashing the cash. It’s best to sell up after one season before Etuhu’s contract comes up for renewal.
Kieran Trippier
He’s unlikely to develop into a first-team player but future England right back Kieran Trippier is sitting in the reserve team. You could try to guide Trippier’s development by loaning him to League One or League Two. With the right growth curve he could become a reasonable homegrown backup player.
5 Players to Sign for Manchester City on Football Manager 2009
Darijo Srna
If there’s one player you sign before the season begins, it should be Darijo Srna. The versatile wide player is a natural DR/WBR/RM who can also comfortably play in the corresponding left-sided positions. Considering the Man City squad needs strengthening in practically every position Srna can play in, signing him should be your very first move.
And rightly so because you’ll have to act quickly! Both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle Utd go straight after Srna from day one, so you’ll have to offer around £14.5m fairly promptly (and accept his initial wage demands) if you don’t want to lose this versatile Croatian to a Premier League rival.
Be aware that signing Srna takes a starting spot away from Micah Richards. Make sure Richards gets plenty of playing time, ideally as a regular substitute and starting cup games, and he’ll still develop into a strong long-term option. Dropping even further down the pecking order, Nedum Onuoha would benefit from a loan move to a smaller club to maintain his own development.
Joleon Lescott
Bolster your defence even more by signing Joleon Lescott as your new first-choice centre back. Lescott is available for around £13m, a relative bargain for what he offers the team. As well as freeing Vincent Kompany up to potentially cover Gelson Fernandes in midfield, Lescott himself can also fill in at left back when needed.
Signing Lescott gives you the chance to loan out Nedum Onuoha for some much needed first-team experience. Or, if you want to keep Onuoha’s development in-house, consider selling Gláuber to recoup some transfer money, not that Man City need it!
Andrés Guardado
Wonderkid Andrés Guardado is the best long-term left winger option but will need time to develop before he can replace Martin Petrov. Guardado has a £20m release clause, but you should be able to offer slightly less to save a million or two.
CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov offers cheaper and more immediate competition for the position, albeit with a much lower potential ceiling. If you get any offers for Petrov, you could even consider signing both!
Taye Taiwo
Javier Garrido is fine, but there are stronger left back options readily available. Taye Taiwo is available from Marseille for just £11m and the best choice if you want a physical player who can race down the wing. If you’d prefer a more defensively minded option, Leighton Baines is available from Everton for ~£13.5m.
Teenage sensation Gareth Bale is available as a long-term option, though unlikely to be challenging for a starting spot just yet. Bale hasn’t yet transitioned into the attack-minded winger he became famous as. His transfer value is £4.7m but don’t expect Tottenham Hotspur to let such a promising young player go cheaply.
Michael Ball immediately becomes surplus to requirements if you sign another left back. Sell Ball on to recoup some of the money you’ve spent strengthening that position.
Gabriel Obertan
Make the most of winger-based formations by signing Gabriel Obertan as youthful cover for Shaun Wright-Phillips. Obertan is a solid bench option because, while he isn’t as talented as your current first-team choices, he can also provide depth up front and on the left. He isn’t cheap cover; Bordeaux will want around £17m for Obertan, but it’s a good investment for his long-term potential and versatility.
Best Tactics for Manchester City in Football Manager 2009
4-2-3-1
This formation makes the most of all your players, including Fernandes tracking back to cover Garrido’s strengths carrying the ball up the left-hand side. It also capitalises on Elano’s natural position in the hold behind a lone striker, making him a valuable creative attacking asset and providing another player for crosses out from the wing to find in the middle.
Play an even more direct style once Benjani returns from injury by pushing Robinho out on the left wing. Using Robinho as more of an inside forward than a traditional winger, this approach offers three distinct attacking profiles all creating danger in the opposition’s box.
4-5-1 / 4-3-3
When facing strong opposition, or simply trying to defend a lead, consider switching to this more conservative formation. Fernandes steps back into a deeper defensive midfield role to provide more stability at the back. Elano also pulls back, making forward runs to support the lone striker rather than sitting immediately behind him.
However, be mindful that this formation relies on a solid target man to receive crosses from out wide to capitalise on counter attacks, a role that poacher-style Robinho struggles to fulfill. Jô can cover this role in the short term but it becomes much more viable once Benjani returns from injury.
4-4-2
Sticking with a traditional flat 4-4-2 gets the most out of your wider squad. Playing with just two central midfielders and a right midfielder, as opposed to a right winger, provides the most depth in the middle third.
But, in contrast to this, playing with two strikers might expose depth issues up front. This should become less of an issue once Benjani, and later Vassell, return from injury.
Best Set Piece Takers for Manchester City in Football Manager 2009
Corners
Right Footed
Elano (15), Michael Johnson (14), Stephen Ireland (14), Robinho (13)
Left Footed
Martin Petrov (16), Javier Garrido (13), Michael Ball (12)
Throw Ins
Right Sided
Micah Richards (17), Pablo Zabaleta (14), Richard Dunne (14), Nedum Onuoha (13), Vincent Kompany (12), Gelson Fernandes (12)
Left Sided
Michael Ball (16), Richard Dunne (14), Vincent Kompany (12), Gelson Fernandes (12)
Free Kicks
Right Footed
Elano (17), Benjani (12), Vincent Kompany (12), Michael Johnson (12), Stephen Ireland (12)
Left Footed
Martin Petrov (17), Javier Garrido (13), Michael Ball (11), Valeri Bojinov (11)
Penalties
Jô (16), Elano (16), Martin Petrov (15), Felipe Caicedo (14), Robinho (13), Valeri Bojinov (13)
Coaches & Backroom Staff at Manchester City in Football Manager 2009
Assistant Manager
Incumbent assistant manager Mark Bowen is a good starting point, so you don’t need to worry about finding a new number two just yet. Most of his attributes will help keep the locker room in good order, particularly his high Man Management. But a low Discipline score means Bowen isn’t going to offer much in the way of training specialities, so don’t be afraid to scout around for a long-term replacement when his contract runs out in 2011.
Coaches
It’s worth spending some time ahead of the season bolstering your coaching staff. Kevin Hitchcock is an excellent goalkeeping coach, but other training areas are somewhat lacking. Have Eddie Niedzwiecki support Jon Webb with fitness coaching to begin with, then start looking for new coaches to handle the remaining training categories. Glyn Hodges is versatile enough to cover any gaps, but better options are easily affordable with Man City’s budget.
Youth Coaches
None of Man City’s youth coaches are bad but, if you want to start replicating the long-term success of the club’s academy structure, you might want to consider bringing in some stronger candidates once more important club management tasks have been dealt with. Keep hold of current youth coaches if their Working With Youngsters attribute is in the high teens. Otherwise, aim to replace them when their contracts expire.
Scouts
Surprisingly, Man City already has a strong scouting department ready to identify elite players to join your team. The weakest link is Carlos Roberto, who has lacklustre player judging skills and can be readily replaced.
Physios
Man City begin the game with a solid selection of physios, so you don’t need to prioritise strengthening this area. Think about searching for a world class physio towards the end of the first season to replace Lee Nobes, whose contract is up in 2009.
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