FM23: Dominating Dutch Football - A Comprehensive Guide

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 56 views

So, you're thinking about managing in the Netherlands in Football Manager 2023, huh? Great choice! Dutch football offers a unique blend of tactical flexibility, youth development opportunities, and a pathway to European glory. Whether you're aiming to restore Ajax to their former glory, turn Feyenoord into a modern powerhouse, or guide a smaller club to unexpected success, this guide will provide you with the insights and strategies you need to conquer the Eredivisie and beyond in FM23.

Why Manage in the Netherlands?

The Dutch footballing landscape presents a compelling challenge for any FM23 manager. Here's why:

Youth Development: The Netherlands has a strong tradition of producing talented young players. Clubs have excellent youth academies and a focus on developing homegrown talent. This means you'll have a constant stream of promising youngsters to nurture and integrate into your first team, allowing you to build a sustainable dynasty.
Tactical Flexibility: Dutch football is renowned for its tactical innovation. Whether you prefer a possession-based 'Total Football' approach, a gegenpressing style, or a more pragmatic counter-attacking system, the Eredivisie provides a platform to experiment and implement your tactical vision. The league is generally less rigid than others, allowing for more creative freedom.
European Competition: Success in the Eredivisie guarantees a spot in the Champions League or Europa League, providing you with the opportunity to test your skills against the best teams in Europe. This not only boosts your club's reputation and finances but also allows you to attract better players.
Competitive Balance: While Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord typically dominate, there's a growing number of clubs challenging the established order. This creates a dynamic and competitive league where any team can cause an upset. This makes for a more engaging and unpredictable managerial experience.
Financial Stability: Most Dutch clubs are relatively well-run financially, providing a stable base for your managerial ambitions. While you may not have the same financial resources as clubs in the top European leagues, you'll have enough to build a competitive squad and invest in your club's infrastructure.

Choosing Your Club: A Deep Dive

Selecting the right club is the first crucial step in your Dutch managerial adventure. Here's a breakdown of some of the most interesting options, catering to different managerial styles and ambitions:

The Giants:

Ajax: The traditional powerhouse of Dutch football, Ajax boasts a rich history, a world-renowned youth academy, and a squad full of talented players. Your objective will be to continue their dominance in the Eredivisie and challenge for Champions League glory. Expect immediate pressure to perform and a high level of scrutiny from the fans and the media. Ajax is the perfect choice for managers who enjoy working with young players and implementing a possession-based attacking style. Your main challenge will be keeping hold of your star players, as they will inevitably attract interest from bigger clubs in Europe. You'll need to develop a strong scouting network and a robust recruitment strategy to identify and sign replacements.
PSV Eindhoven: Another giant of Dutch football, PSV offers a similar challenge to Ajax. They have a strong squad, a good youth academy, and a desire to compete for major honors. However, they may lack the same financial resources as Ajax, requiring you to be more astute in the transfer market. PSV is a good option for managers who prefer a more balanced approach, combining youth development with shrewd signings. The board will expect you to challenge for the title and reach the knockout stages of European competitions. You'll need to build a strong team spirit and a winning mentality to overcome Ajax's dominance.
Feyenoord: Feyenoord has always been the "people's club" in Holland, a team with a loyal and passionate fanbase. After some time away from the top, recent success means expectations have risen at De Kuip. They offer a compelling challenge for managers who enjoy a passionate atmosphere and a strong connection with the fans. While they may not have the same financial clout as Ajax or PSV, they have a talented squad and a good youth academy. Feyenoord is ideal for managers who relish the underdog role and enjoy building a team with a strong identity. Your primary goal will be to challenge for the title and restore Feyenoord to their former glory.

The Challengers:

AZ Alkmaar: AZ has emerged as a consistent challenger to the top three in recent years. They have a well-run club, a good youth academy, and a reputation for playing attractive football. AZ is a great option for managers who want to build a team that can compete with the best in the league without the same level of pressure as managing one of the traditional giants. You'll need to be smart in the transfer market and develop your young players to their full potential. The board will expect you to qualify for European competition and challenge for domestic trophies.
FC Twente: After some difficult years, FC Twente is on the rise again. They have a passionate fanbase and a decent squad with potential. Twente is a good option for managers who enjoy a project and want to rebuild a club with a rich history. You'll need to invest in the youth academy, improve the club's infrastructure, and make shrewd signings to compete with the top teams. The board will expect you to stabilize the club and gradually improve their league position.
FC Utrecht: Situated in a great city, Utrecht are always there or thereabouts challenging for European places. Lacking the resources of other clubs in this list, the challenge is there to find the next generation of talent to push the club forward. They are a solid option for any manager wanting a long term challenge in the Netherlands.

The Sleeping Giants/Interesting Projects:

FC Groningen: Historically a decent Eredivisie side, they suffered relegation in the first season of FM23. Can you bounce them straight back up and re-establish them?
Heracles Almelo: Similar to Groningen, Heracles suffered relegation and will provide a good challenge to get back into the top division.
NAC Breda: A very popular club in the second tier, they are a club with a great stadium and fanbase that deserve to be in the Eredivisie.

Key Tactics for Dutch Football

The Eredivisie is a tactically diverse league, but certain approaches tend to be more effective than others. Here are some key tactical considerations for managing in the Netherlands:

Possession-Based Football: This is a classic Dutch approach, focusing on dominating possession and creating chances through intricate passing moves. If you choose this style, you'll need players with excellent technical skills, passing ability, and tactical awareness. Key player roles include a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box midfielder, and creative wingers.
Gegenpressing: Popularized by Jurgen Klopp, gegenpressing involves winning the ball back immediately after losing it, pressing high up the pitch with intensity. This style requires players with high work rates, stamina, and aggression. Key player roles include a pressing forward, a ball-winning midfielder, and energetic full-backs.
Counter-Attacking Football: This approach focuses on soaking up pressure and hitting the opposition on the break with pace and precision. This style requires players with speed, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing. Key player roles include a fast striker, a creative attacking midfielder, and solid defenders.
4-3-3: A classic Dutch formation, the 4-3-3 provides a good balance between attack and defense. It allows you to control possession, create width, and overload the midfield. This formation requires versatile players who can play multiple positions.
4-2-3-1: A more modern formation, the 4-2-3-1 provides a solid defensive base while still allowing for attacking flair. It's a good option for teams that want to be compact defensively and hit the opposition on the counter-attack. This formation requires strong central midfielders and creative attacking midfielders.

Scouting and Youth Development: The Dutch DNA

As mentioned earlier, the Netherlands is a hotbed for young talent. Therefore, scouting and youth development are crucial aspects of managing in Dutch football. Here's how to maximize your youth setup:

Invest in Your Youth Academy: Upgrade your youth academy facilities and hire highly-rated youth coaches. This will improve the quality of your youth intake and increase the chances of producing future stars.
Develop a Strong Scouting Network: Send your scouts to South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe to identify promising young players before they become too expensive. Focus on countries with a history of producing technically gifted players.
Give Young Players Opportunities: Don't be afraid to give young players a chance in the first team, even if they're not quite ready. Playing time is essential for their development. Consider loaning them out to clubs where they'll get regular minutes.
Hire a Technical Director: A good technical director can oversee your youth development program, identify potential stars, and ensure that your youth teams are playing in a style that aligns with your first team. This will create a seamless transition for young players moving into the senior squad.
Set Up a B Team/Affiliate: If possible, having a B team in the lower leagues or an affiliate club where you can send youngsters is invaluable. This allows them to get competitive game time without the pressure of the first team.

Transfer Market Tips for the Eredivisie

Navigating the transfer market in the Eredivisie requires a different approach than in the top European leagues. Here are some tips to help you find value and build a competitive squad:

Focus on Value: Don't overspend on players. Look for undervalued players in smaller leagues or players who are out of favor at bigger clubs.
Utilize Loan Deals: Loan deals can be a great way to bring in quality players without breaking the bank. Look for players who are looking for playing time and are willing to join your club on a temporary basis.
Target Scandinavian and Eastern European Players: These leagues often produce talented players who are relatively inexpensive. Focus on countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
Sign Players on Bosman Transfers: Keep an eye on players whose contracts are expiring. You can sign them on a free transfer, which can save you a significant amount of money.
Be Patient: Don't rush into signings. Take your time to scout players thoroughly and negotiate the best possible deal.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Managing in the Netherlands isn't without its challenges. Here's how to overcome some common hurdles:

Keeping Hold of Your Star Players: As mentioned earlier, bigger clubs will inevitably come sniffing around your best players. To combat this, offer them improved contracts, build a strong relationship with them, and try to convince them that they can achieve their ambitions at your club.
Competing with Ajax and PSV: Ajax and PSV have significantly more financial resources than most other clubs in the Eredivisie. To compete with them, you'll need to be smart in the transfer market, develop your youth players, and implement a tactical system that can exploit their weaknesses.
Dealing with Injuries: Injuries are an inevitable part of football. To minimize the impact of injuries, invest in your medical staff, rotate your squad, and monitor your players' fitness levels closely.

Long-Term Vision: Building a Dynasty

Ultimately, the goal of managing in the Netherlands should be to build a long-term dynasty. This requires a clear vision, a well-defined strategy, and a commitment to youth development. Here are some key elements of a successful long-term strategy:

Develop a Club Philosophy: Define your club's playing style, values, and objectives. This will help you attract players and staff who align with your vision.
Invest in Infrastructure: Upgrade your training facilities, youth academy, and stadium. This will improve the quality of your players and provide a better experience for your fans.
Create a Sustainable Financial Model: Generate revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, and player sales. Manage your finances responsibly and avoid overspending.
Build a Strong Team Culture: Foster a positive and supportive environment where players feel valued and motivated. This will improve team chemistry and performance.
Continuously Improve: Never be complacent. Always look for ways to improve your team, your tactics, and your club's infrastructure. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in football and adapt your approach accordingly.

So there you have it, guys! Your guide to dominating Dutch football in FM23. With the right approach, you can lead your chosen club to glory and create a lasting legacy in the Eredivisie. Good luck, and happy managing!