The hardest teams to manage in 2026/27
If winning the league with the best squad bores you, these are the 2026/27 jobs that will test you.
Don't wait for FM27: Gaffa already has 2026/27 squads and updated player ratings. Free, no download, and it plays with no signal. Play Gaffa · FM27: what we know · Free football draft games
On 2026/27 ratings the weakest Premier League squad is Coventry City, and the weakest in the whole English pyramid is Newport County. Keeping either one up, or taking them up, is the hardest job in English football.
Weakest squads in the top five leagues
The bottom three squads in each league, and how far behind the league's best eleven they are ("gap").
| Club | League | Strength | Gap to the top |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry City | Premier League | 75.2 | 11.4 |
| Hull City | Premier League | 75.5 | 11.1 |
| Ipswich Town | Premier League | 77.0 | 9.5 |
| Elche CF | La Liga | 73.4 | 13.3 |
| Málaga CF | La Liga | 73.4 | 13.3 |
| Racing Santander | La Liga | 74.1 | 12.5 |
| Frosinone | Serie A | 72.5 | 11.8 |
| Lecce | Serie A | 72.7 | 11.5 |
| Monza | Serie A | 73.2 | 11.1 |
| SC Paderborn 07 | Bundesliga | 70.2 | 16.3 |
| SV Elversberg | Bundesliga | 71.2 | 15.3 |
| FC Schalke 04 | Bundesliga | 73.7 | 12.7 |
| ESTAC Troyes | Ligue 1 | 70.9 | 16.9 |
| Le Mans FC | Ligue 1 | 70.9 | 16.9 |
| Le Havre AC | Ligue 1 | 72.5 | 15.4 |
The hardest job in each English division
| Division | Club | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Coventry City | 75.2 |
| Championship | Bolton Wanderers | 68.1 |
| League One | Burton Albion | 64.2 |
| League Two | Newport County | 60.7 |
How to survive with a weak squad
- Play a compact shape and counter-attack. See what a low block is.
- Spend on one or two spine players (centre-back, holding midfielder) rather than a star forward.
- Bring in loans from bigger clubs to fill the squad cheaply.
- Judge yourself on staying up. Tell the board early what's realistic.
Common questions
What is the hardest team to manage in 2026/27?
In the Premier League, Coventry City have the weakest squad on 2026/27 ratings. Across the English pyramid, Newport County in League Two are the toughest place to start.
Can I try these challenges for free?
Yes. Every club here is playable in Gaffa, a free browser football manager with 2026/27 squads and updated ratings.
Play the 2026/27 season free
Gaffa has this season's squads and updated player ratings across 28 leagues. Free, no download, no account, and it keeps working with no signal.
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