Football Manager 2023 launched on 8 November 2022 and was the first entry to carry official UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League branding, complete with the music, scoreboards and redrawn draws. Sports Interactive rebuilt recruitment around the Squad Planner and Recruitment Focus, and added Supporter Confidence, which splits your fanbase into Hardcore, Core, Family, Fair Weather, Corporate and Casual segments that judge you separately from the board. Match engine work went into goalkeeper distribution, spread blocks and aerial defending.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
UEFA Champions League
Key resources: Prize money, reputation, the presentation upgrade FM23 is remembered for Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Pass Into Space upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Premier League
Key resources: The deepest transfer budgets in the database Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Pass Into Space upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Bundesliga
Key resources: Correct branding throughout, strong youth intakes Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Pass Into Space upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
cinch Scottish Premiership
Key resources: The full Scottish pyramid, European qualification on a small wage bill Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Play Out Of Defence max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Major League Soccer
Key resources: A distinct ruleset, Designated Player signings Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Play Out Of Defence max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (UEFA Champions League to Premier League)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Pass Into Space once accessible
Mid Game (Bundesliga)
- Push Pass Into Space to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Play Out Of Defence
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (cinch Scottish Premiership to Major League Soccer)
- Max out Play Out Of Defence. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Bundesliga farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Mentality is your baseline risk and roles, duties and instructions are the moderators. Stacking a much higher tempo, much more direct passing and an Attacking mentality does not produce an aggressive side, it produces an incoherent one.
- Farm Bundesliga during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Football Manager 2023 Guides
- Football Manager 2023 Football Manager 2023 Overview
- Football Manager 2023 Best Builds
- Football Manager 2023 Tier List
- Football Manager 2023 Walkthrough
- Football Manager 2023 Beginner's Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Tips & Tricks
- Football Manager 2023 Weapons Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Combat Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Boss Guide
- Football Manager 2023 Maps & Locations
- Football Manager 2023 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Football Manager 2023, check out these related guides:
- Beat the Champions Crafting Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
- Rocket League Crafting Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
- Football Manager 2024 Crafting Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
