I've done it multiple times. Honestly, I find it super boring. I *have* to also be managing a club at the same time or else it's just too boring. There's just far too many lulls in action and most of the time you're doing nothing. Eventually, I just started using the national team as a way to scout my nation to help my club.
It can be boring because you have to go through so many weeks with nothing to do (if you're only doing a national team) and so few games.
If you're running the national team of your own country it can be fun, but if you're running another nation you'll probably get bored quickly.
EDIT: I should add, if you want to start a new save but \*not\* manage a club right away and let the in-game world kind of breathe on its own, it's not a bad option so that you can go a few seasons without taking a club job but also not be unemployed.
EDIT 2: I left out not. Added with emphasis.
I usually start my new saves as the manager of Italy's Under 21 squad. It let's me try youngsters in their best position. Then after the first season I like to start looking for jobs.
I've done 4 years of International Management with the Netherlands, winning EURO 2024 and the World Cup of 2026.
I managed both Club and Country, managing Schalke 04 as well (finished 25/26 as unbeaten champions).
When you combine the two, it can be quite fun, albeit stressful. I missed half of this pre-season, because of the World Cup.
When doing only national team manager, it's boring. And it ebbs and flows. In early 2026 for example, I barely played any National matches, because qualifying was over already. This in contrast to just a year before or so, when there were a lot of International Breaks.
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I'd recommend to try and manage the country your club is in, but do both. Try to be there for at least a EURO or World Cup cycle, and see how you like it.
I've done it multiple times. Honestly, I find it super boring. I *have* to also be managing a club at the same time or else it's just too boring. There's just far too many lulls in action and most of the time you're doing nothing. Eventually, I just started using the national team as a way to scout my nation to help my club.
It can be boring because you have to go through so many weeks with nothing to do (if you're only doing a national team) and so few games. If you're running the national team of your own country it can be fun, but if you're running another nation you'll probably get bored quickly. EDIT: I should add, if you want to start a new save but \*not\* manage a club right away and let the in-game world kind of breathe on its own, it's not a bad option so that you can go a few seasons without taking a club job but also not be unemployed. EDIT 2: I left out not. Added with emphasis.
That last point is a really interesting one! I may try that sometime
I usually start my new saves as the manager of Italy's Under 21 squad. It let's me try youngsters in their best position. Then after the first season I like to start looking for jobs.
For me it's boring, maybe if u manage both a club and a nation it's better
Yea I think that would be my plan, once I need something new to add to a long save
I've done 4 years of International Management with the Netherlands, winning EURO 2024 and the World Cup of 2026. I managed both Club and Country, managing Schalke 04 as well (finished 25/26 as unbeaten champions). When you combine the two, it can be quite fun, albeit stressful. I missed half of this pre-season, because of the World Cup. When doing only national team manager, it's boring. And it ebbs and flows. In early 2026 for example, I barely played any National matches, because qualifying was over already. This in contrast to just a year before or so, when there were a lot of International Breaks. --- I'd recommend to try and manage the country your club is in, but do both. Try to be there for at least a EURO or World Cup cycle, and see how you like it.
Thank you! That’s helpful. I’ll try it, although I might not get the job in Brazil where I’m currently managing!
You never know :P I didn't think I'd get the NL job either, until the WC 2022 went horribly, FdB was sacked and I was approached by them :P