5 EFL teams you should manage in Football Manager 26 | OneFootball

FLW has looked into some EFL clubs who would make for exciting saves in the newly-released game

Football supporters and gamers across the world were in a rather celebratory mood in the first week of November, as the highly-anticipated Football Manager 26 was released by Sports Interactive.

It has been a game almost a year in the making, after it was confirmed in February that no Football Manager game would be developed across the 2024/25 campaign, with SI studio director, Miles Jacobson, labelling such developments as "embarrasing".

As such, the organisation had even longer to develop the game's latest installment, which includes a new 3D match engine, as well as licensing for divisions all across the globe, including the Championship, League One and League Two.

There are, of course, 72 EFL sides which players can pick from at the start of a save, with all clubs representing differing challenges due to expectations and/or limitations.

However, Football League World have looked into five in particular, across the aforementioned three divisions, that would make for interesting 'save' ideas for an array of reasons.

Sheffield Wednesday

One of the most-talked about EFL sides at present is Sheffield Wednesday, largely due to off-pitch matters.

Due to being placed into administration, the Owls have been hit with a 12-point deduction and are currently under several transfer and registration embargoes, leaving the club with a severe lack of depth when it comes to the playing squad.

That being said, there are several experienced heads still at the club, such as Barry Bannan, Liam Palmer and Dominic Iorfa, as well as many Under-21 players who have been thrust into first-team action.

It may take some time due to an extremely limited budget and a certain stint in League One to begin with, but could you eventually bring the glory days back to Hillsborough?

Hull City

Their Yorkshire and Championship rivals, Hull City, also find themselves in an intriguing predicament.

In pre-season, the club were hit with what is now a two-window transfer fee restriction, meaning no signings can cost any money or loan fees until the start of the 2026/27 campaign.

Regardless, the Tigers were able to recruit rather smartly, with 12 players, such as experienced forward, Oli McBurnie, added to the MKM Stadium ranks.

In real life, Hull have defied expectations in the opening 15 games of the season and sit inside the play-offs in a wide-open division.

Could you take advantage of the same situation and guide City back to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17 under such limitations?

Bolton Wanderers

Dropping into League One, and Bolton Wanderers are firmly in the promotion mix-up at present.

The Trotters have resided outside the Championship since 2019, steadily progressing after well-documented financial issues, but the pressure for promotion is now firmly on at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Wanderers have a nice blend of experience and flair within their squad after a major reshuffle throughout the summer, with loanees such as Amario Cozier-Duberry, Mason Burstow and Marcus Forss grabbing their share of the limelight.

As such, this makes the North West side a potential 'road to glory' option for those who love a long-term 'save' after release.

Crewe Alexandra

One of two sides in League Two to feature are Crewe Alexandra, who are looking to return to League One for the first time since 2022 under former midfielder, Lee Bell.

In an extremely competitive fourth-tier, the Railwaymen often stand out due to their ability to develop homegrown talents such as Nick Powell, Danny Murphy and Dean Ashton over the years, with training and youth facilities marked as 'great' and 'good' respectively.

This, in turn, could help you grow the club's finances in order to mount a resurgence up the EFL and towards the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.

Salford City

Last, but by no means least, are fellow League Two outfit, Salford City.

A starting financial balance of £3m - albeit only £75k of which is plowed into the initial budget - showcases the takeover completed by a consortium fronted by Manchester United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham back in May.

Despite having several links to the Old Trafford club, the Ammies have failed to progress into League One for the first time since being promoted into the EFL back in 2019.

With several experienced names such as Ben Woodburn, Daniel Udoh, Kadeem Harris, Jorge Grant and Matt Butcher within your starting squad, such fortunes could certainly change, and you could make yourself a cult hero at the Peninsula Stadium.