Scouting is one of the quickest ways to gain an edge in Football Manager 26. Whether you’re managing a powerhouse or a small-time club in the lower leagues. Setting up a strong scouting network makes a steady flow of talent and valuable insights on opponents possible.
With the new Recruitment hub and TransferRoom-powered tools, FM26 has changed the process to find the right players without blowing away your budget. So, let’s dive into building a scouting network that actually works.
Recruitment Hub
FM26 brings transfers, squad planning, and scouting all together in one place: the Recruitment hub. This new area uses tiles to display everything from upcoming transfer needs to contract expirations and squad weaknesses.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Recruitment Objectives: lists the board’s expectations for your upcoming signings.
- Contract tile: flags players with less than a year left on their contracts. Perfect for catching bargain deals and strategizing on transfers.
- Squad Planner: highlights depth gaps and links directly to Recruitment Focuses you can turn into scouting assignments.
Setting Up Strong Scouting
Don’t just send scouts out aimlessly. Give them clear instructions and set clear goals:
- Go to Recruitment, then Scouting, and Assignments to set a new task. Then pick exactly what you need, including player role, contract situation, and age bracket.
- Assign scouts with strong Judging Player Ability (JPA), Judging Player Potential (JPP), and regional knowledge for accurate reports.
- Small club managers should focus on nearby or undervalued regions. That’s where you find hidden talent at a bargain.
- At bigger clubs, simply set ongoing global assignments. This ensures that you never miss rising talent.
- Use Recruitment Focuses through your Squad Planner. Match them to what your squad actually needs. In FM26, you can set In/Out of possession role priorities in these filters, so scouts hunt for better tactical fits.
Analyzing Scout Reports
Once scout assignment results return, don’t just look at the star ratings. Dig a little deeper:
- Check out Current Ability (CA) and Potential Ability (PA), but also pay attention to the player’s traits, salaries, and injury risks.
- In FM26, staff feedback now includes whether a player fits your playstyle and formation. This gives you a better understanding of the players you sign.
- Using the Contract tile, if a player has less than a year left, there’s a good chance they’re a bargain.
- Review personality, see if they fit the role you need, and consider how their wages affect your budget; only then make an offer.
Stay Ahead Of The Game
Refresh scouting tasks every transfer window, as older reports lose accuracy quickly. Keep at least one scout focused on youth (age 16–19). Target high PA prospects, but always review personality and role compatibility rather than relying on star ratings alone.
Check out Pitch Opportunities to explore what other clubs are desperate for. Use that to time sales of fringe players while the demand is hot. Always line up your scouting with the board’s Recruitment Objectives. This way, you sign players who align with your club’s vision.
