Football Manager 2022: Most interesting starting teams

The beta version of Football Manager 2022 is now live with the full release only a few days away. Gamers are gearing up for the excitement with Face Packs at the ready to make the title all the more realistic.

Of course, you'll want to select the right starting point for your first FM 22 save, and there are so many places to start. Some managers are more experienced and can take on a bigger challenge, but for beginners, you may want to pick a club that offers you a bit more wiggle room.

Here are some of the most interesting starts in FM 22 ahead of the full release in November.

Football Manager 2022 - Best teams to start as

This post will cover a range of teams for players to start their save with. Some of the easier jobs in the title, as well as those on the more challenging end, will be highlighted to provide something for gamers of all experience levels.

Remember, this is only starting position at the beginning of your save, and can speak more to potential rather than the current state of the club.

FC Barcelona

Barcelona was of course set to make the list after their fall from grace in recent years. Not long ago they were amongst the top clubs in world football, but financial mismanagement has forced them to let possibly the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, walk out the door on a free transfer.

The team is surely still one of La Liga's best, but is it? With a wage bill to trim, underperforming players and the silver lining of a great selection of wonderkids, FC Barcelona are a truly interesting team to step into.

Transfer budget: £0

Key players: Ansu Fati, Pedri, Sergio Basquets

A.S. Roma

Roma has seen a revival led by none other than the special one, José Mourinho. He's still one of the most high-profile managers in the world, but we're gonna go ahead and replace him to take control of the Roma rebuild. One of the long-standing clubs of the Italian top-flight, Roma has a robust history and passionate supporters.

They're a solid starting point for players of all levels with a good squad with a mix of experience and youth. There is a decent transfer budget here too and board expectations aren't too high so you don't have to fear getting the sack -- at least not straight away.

Transfer budget: £10.26M

Key players: Stephan El Shaarawy, Leonardo Spinazzola, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abrahams

Ipswich Town F.C

A proper yo-yo club, Ipswich Town has seen brighter days with the club currently down in League One. However, a new ownership group has brought a flush of cash for any manager brave enough to drop down the leagues and attempt to get The Tractor Boys back to the Prem.

This is a job for a seasoned FM player, as you won't be working with much at the start of your save. But the glory of a surge to the top-flight seems tantalizing.

Transfer budget: £0

Key players: Lee Evans, Bersant Celina, Christian Walton

• Read more: FM 22: Top bargain buys

Newcastle United

Another obvious choice to make the list, Newcastle United is absolutely loaded with money after the recent takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Newcastle has been making up the numbers in the Premier League in recent years, but upcoming transfer windows are sure to change that.

Take hold of the rebranding and create a powerhouse for the fans again at St. James' Park. A return to the top-end of the Premier League could be just a few transfer windows away.

Transfer budget: £200M

Key players: Allan Saint-Maximin, Martin Dubravka, Miguel Almirón

FC Schalke 04

Truly a fallen giant, FC Schalke 04, one of the most celebrated teams in Germany, was relegated into Bundesliga 2 last season, an almost unimaginable scenario.

And while that might be devastating for Schalke's fans, it gives a prospective manager in FM 22 a very interesting start.

With some respectable players still on the books and a rabid fan base that expect to go back up at the first opportunity, there is the potential to not only earn promotion quickly but rebuild a club that at one time was Germany's best.

Transfer budget: £9M

Key players: Salif Sané, Simon Terodde, Amine Harit

• Read more: Best young Strikers to sign in FM 22

Make sure to check out our dedicated Football Manager 2022 page ahead of the full release of the title on 9th November. We'll have face pack guides, players to sign, and other strategic outlines.

Featured image courtesy of Sports Interactive.