Football Manager 2020 shipped on 18 November 2019 with a database frozen on the 2019/20 season, and that database is the main reason anyone still loads it: Erling Haaland starts at Red Bull Salzburg, and every squad predates the pandemic. FM20's own additions were the Development Centre, Club Vision and the Playing Time Pathway, all of which behave differently from the systems that replaced them in later editions. Sports Interactive can only sell each edition while its club and player licences hold, so FM20 has been pulled from sale and cannot be bought new; the Stadia version died with Stadia in January 2023.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segundo Volante | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Mezzala | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Inverted Wing-Back | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Ball-Playing Defender | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Pressing Forward | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Football Manager 2020 tier list.
A-Tier: Segundo Volante
Segundo Volante is a top-performing option in Football Manager 2020.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Club Vision board objectives | The FM20 system that gives your board an actual identity: a five-year plan with season-by-season financial, infrastructure and competition targets, plus culture objectives around transfer policy and playing style. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Club Vision and the five-year plan | Club Vision was new in FM20 and splits board expectations into three layers: club culture objectives covering transfer policy and playing style, a five-year plan broken down season by season with financial, infrastructure and competition targets, and ongoing objectives you are expected to respect throughout your tenure. |
How to Play Segundo Volante
Segundo Volante focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Club Vision board objectives does the damage and Club Vision and the five-year plan keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Mezzala
Mezzala is a strong option in Football Manager 2020.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Development Centre hub | One screen covering youth players, their development advice, ones to watch, and loanees with their ratings and minutes. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | The Development Centre | FM20 collapsed the scattered youth, reserve and loan screens into one hub. |
How to Play Mezzala
Mezzala focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Pair Development Centre hub with The Development Centre and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Inverted Wing-Back
Inverted Wing-Back is a strong option in Football Manager 2020.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Playing Time Pathway brackets | Contract negotiation covering both the playing time bracket a player expects now and where he expects to sit in future. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Playing Time Pathway | Contract talks in FM20 include the playing time bracket a player expects now, from Star Player down to Surplus to Requirements, plus an agreed future position on that ladder. |
How to Play Inverted Wing-Back
Inverted Wing-Back focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Playing Time Pathway covers the gap Playing Time Pathway brackets leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Ball-Playing Defender
Ball-Playing Defender is a specialized option in Football Manager 2020.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Technical Director | A staff role new in FM20 covering hiring and firing of first-team staff and involvement in coaching development. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Technical Director and Loan Manager roles | FM20 added two backroom staff roles. |
How to Play Ball-Playing Defender
Ball-Playing Defender focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: This one leans on Technical Director and Loan Manager roles rather than raw numbers, and Technical Director is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Pressing Forward
Pressing Forward is a specialized option in Football Manager 2020.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Loan Manager | The other FM20 staff addition, handling loan administration for players sent out. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Tactical styles and player roles | You build a tactic from a preset style such as Gegenpress, Vertical Tiki-Taka or Fluid Counter-Attack, then assign duties and roles per position. |
How to Play Pressing Forward
Pressing Forward focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Loan Manager and Tactical styles and player roles pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Mezzala: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Segundo Volante once you understand core mechanics and have access to Club Vision board objectives
- Keep a Inverted Wing-Back setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Pressing Forward for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Open Club Vision before your first transfer window and read all three layers. The five-year plan sets season-by-season targets and the culture objectives constrain how you are allowed to sign players, so a transfer that looks smart can breach an objective you never opened.
- Sign Erling Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg in the opening window. The FM20 launch database has him at Salzburg, before his January 2020 move, which makes this the last edition where he is available at a price a mid-table club can pay.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Football Manager 2020 Guides
- Football Manager 2020 Football Manager 2020 Overview
- Football Manager 2020 Tier List
- Football Manager 2020 Walkthrough
- Football Manager 2020 Beginner's Guide
- Football Manager 2020 Tips & Tricks
- Football Manager 2020 Weapons Guide
- Football Manager 2020 Combat Guide
- Football Manager 2020 Boss Guide
- Football Manager 2020 Maps & Locations
- Football Manager 2020 Crafting Guide
- Football Manager 2020 Classes & Characters
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