Top Debt-Ridden Clubs to Rebuild on FM24

If you are looking for a fallen giant type of challenge, trying to clear debt and win trophies along the way, then keep reading.

One of the most enjoyable Football Manager career saves is taking a club from several tiers down the pyramid all the way up to the top flight. The grind of managing an amateur or semi-pro team having to rely on loaned players and any free agent you can find can be thrilling.

Right after managing in the lower leagues, I reckon taking charge of debt-ridden clubs with rich history might be the next best option. Well, perhaps alongside those with point deduction penalties. There is something intriguing about wanting to play the game at a harder difficulty.

For this particular list, we have handpicked thirteen reputable football clubs in debt and on a negative balance. With some help from Google, we accompany our picks with brief stories related to that debt.

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Schalke 04

Balance: -86M Transfer Budget: 430K Remaining Wage Budget: 8.2K

FC Schalke 04, a renowned German football club with a rich history, has been grappling with significant financial challenges in recent years. Despite once being a powerhouse in European football, a combination of poor on-field performance, mismanagement, and excessive spending has left the club deeply indebted. The club's financial struggles have resulted in a decline in its competitive standing and forced them to sell key players to generate revenue. Schalke 04's persistent financial woes pose a serious threat to the club's long-term stability and future success.

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Barcelona

Balance: -43M Transfer Budget: 2.1M Remaining Wage Budget: 0

Barcelona, one of the world's most iconic football clubs, has been grappling with significant financial challenges in recent years. Despite a rich history and a massive global fanbase, the club has accumulated substantial debt. This financial strain has forced them to make difficult decisions, including selling off valuable assets and implementing cost-cutting measures. The debt burden has limited their ability to compete in the transfer market and maintain their squad strength, impacting their on-field performance. While the club has taken steps to address their financial situation, it remains a pressing issue that could have long-term implications for their future success.

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FK Austria Vienna

Balance: -18M Transfer Budget: 0 Remaining Wage Budget: 0

FK Austria Wien, a historic Austrian football club, is currently facing significant financial challenges. The club has accumulated substantial debt, leading to concerns about its long-term viability. To address these issues, Austria Wien is exploring various options, including the potential sale of its home stadium, Generali Arena. This move aims to generate funds to repay debts and stabilize the club's financial situation.

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Union Berlin

Balance: -14M Transfer Budget: 4.3M Remaining Wage Budget: 24.7K

Union Berlin, a football club from Berlin-Köpenick, has a rich history marked by financial struggles. Founded in 1966, the club has faced multiple challenges, including near-bankruptcy in 2004. Despite these difficulties, Union Berlin has cultivated a dedicated fan base and achieved remarkable success on the field, even qualifying for European competitions. Their story is a testament to the power of fan support and resilience in overcoming adversity.

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SV Werder

Balance: -12M Transfer Budget: 850K Remaining Wage Budget: 16.5K

SV Werder Bremen, a renowned German football club with a rich history, has faced financial difficulties in recent years. Despite a dedicated fanbase and a history of success, the club has accumulated significant debt. This financial strain has impacted their ability to compete at the highest level and has led to concerns about the club's long-term sustainability.

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Deportivo Cali

Balance: -12M Transfer Budget: 0 Remaining Wage Budget: 0

Deportivo Cali, a historic Colombian football club, has been grappling with significant financial difficulties. The club has accumulated substantial debt over the years, hindering its ability to maintain a competitive squad and invest in necessary infrastructure. This financial strain has led to challenges in player recruitment, salary payments, and overall club operations. Despite its rich history and passionate fanbase, Deportivo Cali's future remains uncertain as it navigates the complexities of its financial situation.

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Lugano

Balance: -9.2M Transfer Budget: 0 Remaining Wage Budget: 6.7K

FC Lugano, a historic Swiss football club, has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. Despite a rich history and passionate fanbase, the club has accumulated substantial debt, leading to concerns about its long-term stability. This financial strain has impacted the club's ability to invest in players, infrastructure, and overall operations, potentially hindering its competitiveness and growth.

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SK Austria Klagenfurt

Balance: -7.7M Transfer Budget: 0 Remaining Wage Budget: 0

Austria Klagenfurt, a football club based in the Austrian city of Klagenfurt, has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. Despite being a relatively young club, founded in 2010, they have struggled to achieve financial stability. The club's debt burden has been a major concern, hindering their ability to invest in players, infrastructure, and other essential areas of the club's operations. This financial situation has put a strain on the club's ambitions and has limited their competitiveness in the Austrian Bundesliga.

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Lausanne

Balance: -6.3M Transfer Budget: 225K Remaining Wage Budget: 4.5K

Lausanne Football Club, a historic Swiss team, has faced significant financial difficulties in recent years. The club has accumulated substantial debt, leading to concerns about its long-term viability. Despite efforts to restructure and secure new investments, Lausanne continues to grapple with financial instability, casting a shadow over its future and the aspirations of its passionate fanbase.

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Nürnberg

Balance: -5.5M Transfer Budget: 260K Remaining Wage Budget: 5.8K

FC Nürnberg, a historic German football club, has faced financial challenges in recent years. Despite a rich history and passionate fanbase, the club has accumulated significant debt. This financial strain has limited their ability to invest in players and infrastructure, impacting their performance on the field. While they remain a beloved club with a dedicated following, navigating their financial situation is a crucial task for the club's long-term sustainability.

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Sion

Balance: -5M Transfer Budget: 0 Remaining Wage Budget: 0

FC Sion, a Swiss football club based in the city of Sion, has a history of financial instability and controversial actions. They have faced multiple sanctions from UEFA due to unpaid debts and other financial irregularities. These financial woes have often led to player disputes, managerial changes, and a general sense of uncertainty surrounding the club. Despite their challenges, FC Sion continues to participate in the Swiss Super League, showcasing a resilient spirit and a passionate fanbase, even amidst their financial difficulties.

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Atlético Nacional

Balance: -2M Transfer Budget: 0 Remaining Wage Budget: 0

Atlético Nacional, a Colombian football powerhouse, has faced financial challenges in recent years, accumulating significant debt. Despite their rich history and passionate fanbase, the club's financial situation has raised concerns among supporters and industry experts. While they remain a prominent force in Colombian football, the financial burden could potentially impact their future plans and transfer activities.

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Bnei Sakhnin

Balance: -1.9M Transfer Budget: 0 Remaining Wage Budget: 1.8K

Bnei Sakhnin is a prominent Israeli football club based in the Arab-Israeli city of Sakhnin. Known for its rich history and passionate fan base, the club has faced significant financial challenges in recent years, leading to substantial debt. Despite these difficulties, Bnei Sakhnin remains a symbol of hope and unity within the Arab-Israeli community, striving to overcome adversity and continue its legacy in Israeli football.

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There you have it. Thirteen reputable clubs in debt and on negative balance at the start of the 2023/24 season in the default Football Manager 2024 database. The list is sorted by negative balance in descending order.

Should you take on the challenge, your job is to clear the debt and lead the club at least to domestic league glory.

Let me know in the comments if you had a go at such a save or how you get on if it's an ongoing one.