HOW TO SURVIVE AFTER PROMOTION! | FM24 GUIDE!

How to Survive After Promotion in FM24

The video follows a save promoted to Portugal’s top division and explains how to prepare for the step up. Its key message is to assess the squad and plan recruitment before the transfer window gets underway, rather than making rushed signings near the start of the season.

1. Assess the squad and identify gaps

• Decide which players are good enough for the new division and which positions need strengthening.
• Aim for two players per position where possible, with substitutes close enough in quality to limit the impact of injuries and rotation.
• Set up a depth chart or squad plan before the first match to make gaps—such as a missing backup full-back—clear.
• In the example squad, the manager plans to keep goalkeeper Gabriel Batista and retain Lucas Suárez for now, but would consider selling Suárez for a substantial offer.
• The main needs are a right centre-back and a striker. The squad also lacks a backup left-back.

2. Consider selling valuable players

Selling a star can be worthwhile if the proceeds can strengthen several positions. Compare the player’s value with the available transfer budget: a major sale could multiply the budget.

Don’t automatically sell your best player. Weigh any offer against how difficult that player would be to replace. The manager is open to selling high-value players such as Suárez or Bruno Almeida if a suitable offer comes in.

3. Prioritise a reliable striker

After promotion, aim to sign a striker who ranks among the team’s best two or three players. A promoted side is likely to create fewer chances, so the striker needs to convert them consistently.

Look beyond finishing to attributes such as consistency and performance in important matches. A target of roughly 12–15 goals is suggested as a useful benchmark. Miguel De La Fuente is considered for the example squad because he is versatile and can fill several forward roles.

4. Make a recruitment and budget plan

• Check both the transfer budget and wage budget before approaching players.
• Explore free agents, loans and permanent transfers.
• Consider free agents: avoiding transfer fees may let you redirect more of the transfer budget toward wages.
• Check whether partner clubs can provide free loans.
• Decide in advance which positions and player types you’re targeting rather than relying on offers arriving by chance.
• Use the sporting director’s Propose Transfer Targets screen to search by position, role and transfer type. A search for a shadow striker, for example, produces a possible backup target.

5. Compare your squad with the division

In Squad Planner → Report and Comparison, compare your players with others in the division across mental, technical and physical attributes. Make sure you select the division you’ve been promoted into, not the league you just left.

Filter the comparison to a specific unit, such as defenders, to spot strengths and weaknesses more clearly. In the example, the team appears strong in jumping and strength but weaker in pace, acceleration and positioning, suggesting that quicker defenders may be a priority.

6. Check the competition rules

Review registration, foreign-player and loan rules before signing anyone. In the Portuguese example, a club can loan no more than one player from another team in the same division at a time. Checking these restrictions beforehand helps avoid spending money on players who cannot be registered.

Featured source: LewisH90. The video also references his Creator Tactics save series.