Quick guide for new managers
There are quite a few things you must consider when you are taking first few steps in Dugout-Online. Here are a few notes, do's and dont's that we think you should know about before you jump into the world of Dugout-Online football management.

1. Get new sponsors!

You club has the opportunity to get nine (9) different sponsors. Three are the big ones, six are for ad space on the field. Besides the upfront payment, these sponsors will give you a smaller percentage of that payment, each day you promote them. This gives you an additional revenue source for your club.

2. Set player training!

Training on "General" might seem like a good idea, but it really isn't - especially at the start. General training spreads training points across the majority of Attributes. While that can be useful once a player is already established in his position, your starting players aren't quite there yet. They all need improvement, and the most important area to focus on is the position they will playing.
Keep in mind, youth players also benefit from position-specific training.
Check Help/FAQ -> Training guide for more info!

3. Set the tactics!

Your club will play matches no matter what, but your chances of actually winning a game plummet drastically if your players take the field without any guidance from you.
While you can set your formation from the Players table, that option is mainly for quick swaps - like replacing a player or two - not for setting detailed tactics. For that, you need to go directly to the Tactics section.

  • We recommend opening your players in Spreadsheet View in a separate tab while working on your tactics. This makes it much easier to assign the right players to each position.
We strongly advise you check Help/FAQ -> Tactics - How to create it properly, and Help/FAQ -> Tactics guide for more detailes!

4. Don't waste your precious money on facilities you don't need (yet)!

Although it might seem like you got a lot of money to spend (£1.000.000!), that number can be deceiving. The idea of having a modern fitness centre or a big club shop may sound appealing, but rushing into it can leave a big hole in your club's bank account - and we are here to help you avoide that mistake.
Simply put: don't do it! At least not at the beginning.
These facilities are not only costly, but can cost you leg and arm each week in maintenance fees. For example, a club shop might actually lose money until your fanbase grows large enough to support it. (Remember, you're starting with a small club.)
So what do we recommend?
Until you're more familiar with the game, we suggest avoiding new facilities or buildings altogether. The one exception to this: consider upgrading your pitch. It won't break the bank, and it improves ball movement (supporting more creative play), while also reducing the risk of player injuries thanks to the better quality of grass.

5. Do NOT upgrade your stadium until it's needed!

This one is important! Stadium upgrades are very expensive - £500 per seat, to be exact - and they also result increased weekly stadium maintenance costs. Remember, you'll be paying £0.50 per seat every week, whether the seats are filled or not.
With this in mind, we recommend witing until your club rating improves a bit before investing in a stadium upgrade.

6. Do NOT hire coaches or physios you don't need - or can't afford!

Another major one! We witnessed numerous managers going bankrupt because they invested in coaches and physios with salaries they couldn't afford for a month, let alone the whole season! Be smart! You're managing a small club, so act accordingly. It's fine to invest in a couple of coaches, and if you really want all five slots filled, but make sure you can afford them!
Here are some tips:

  • Finding a coach with moderate Youngsters skill to train your youth squad can be a good early move.
  • A general coach (one with balanced skills in GK, DF, MF and FW) can be beneficial at the start, since hiring specialized coaches for each position is expensive.
  • If you have a promissing player or two, hiring a coach specialising in "that" specific area is also a smart investment.
  • When choosing a coach, also pay attention to:
    • Tactical (TAC) - helps players follow instructions on the pitch.
    • Motivation (MOT) - improves how motivated players are during training.
    • Physical (PHY) - used when training Speed or Strength.
    • Judging Player Talent (JPT) - gives you better insights into your squad (use "Request talent report" for each player).
There are many valid strategies, but whatever you do, always check the weekly salary before committing!
As for the physios - you don't really need them right at the start. But if you do hire one, choose one with low knowledge and a speacialty.
And remember: when you are hiring staff, take into account that you need to survive a full 20-week season (17 weeks of season + 3 weeks of pre-season).

Check Help/FAQ -> Staff - Coaches and Physios for more info!

7. Do NOT buy players you don't need or can't afford (sounds familiar?)

This is another common mistake that often leads new managers straight into bankruptcy. Good players demand high salaries- it doesn't matter if you got them on cheap, it's the weekly wages that will sink your finances.
Starting out, it's highly unlikely you'll have much need for top-quality players. Focus instead on building a balanced team, and try finding bargains in areas where you lack talent. Aim for players that will grow with your club over time.

8. Don't buy too many players!

Just like in real life, having too many players in your squad can cause problems. A crowded training ground increases the risk of arguments, tensions and even fights. All of which can result in your players losing training, dropping morale points, or in the worst case, getting injured!