Interviews with famous players are back!
The French international defender returned to Valencia this summer, after five seasons in England.
Mangala, who usually plays Football Manager in his free time, told us why he likes this game so much.
Choosing a team and starting a save
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A TEAM?
It's always a tough choice! Start at my boyhood club? Clubs from exotic countries? Start in the lower divisions? Two important criteria are the project and the transfer budget of the teams in question.
WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU START A NEW SAVE?
I set up my tactics and then transfer-list every player who doesn't fit my ideas, whether they're top players or not. I believe the collective matters more than individuals. You have to be ruthless.
Transfer market strategy and type of player
HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE TRANSFER MARKET?
It depends on the team I'm at. If I need a strong squad, then I'll have to spend some money to bring in the best.
That said, I can also invest in the youth setup and develop some kids. I like different challenges and finding solutions to all kinds of problems.
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU LOOK FOR IN PLAYERS?
I like wonderkids – I try to have the future stars of each position on the pitch.
FAVOURITE TYPE OF PLAYER?
I prefer wingers, mainly on the right side. They're the ones who create the most goalscoring chances. Full-backs are also important, to keep the width and balance the team with their defensive duties.
Achievements and honours as a manager
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AS A MANAGER?
At Borussia Dortmund I won five trophies in one season.
League, cup, Champions League, super cup and Club World Cup.
I won everything there was to win, and that season I even had the three best players in the world.
BEST SAVE?
Still in the same save, I later joined Manchester City. In my first season with them, 2024/2025, I won the Champions League. Six trophies in Europe's top competition in seven years — four with Dortmund and two with City. After that, I became France manager and dominated at international level too. I won the Euros and the World Cup.
The Dortmund team was the best, for being very young and cohesive.
BEST SIGNING?
The best signing was Sebastien Haller, a French forward from Eintracht Frankfurt.
I was looking for a player with Bundesliga experience, and as soon as he signed for Dortmund, he became a monster.
He scored goals, provided assists, he was essential and decisive! He worked wonderfully alongside Fekir and later Mbappé. He regularly finished as top scorer in international competitions.
Best players and prospects
BEST PLAYER YOU'VE MANAGED?
Without a doubt, Kylian Mbappé
BEST YOUNG PROSPECT?
Sandro Tonali. The best midfielder of his generation! He controls the middle of the park, has excellent vision and passing ability, and is a technically and tactically well-developed player. Leon Bailey is also phenomenal.
Why he likes Football Manager
WHY DO YOU LIKE FOOTBALL MANAGER?
The game keeps getting more realistic! If you want to be a winner, you can't delegate tasks, training, morale, playing style, or even scouting the opposition.
I like breaking records and dominating internationally!
