Football Manager 2024 has been released live on Steam through early access and fans of the popular game are already sinking their teeth into the latest edition.
The series is now over 30-years old and an impressive worldwide database of clubs, players and staff gives gamers the opportunity to take charge of their beloved clubs and attempt to guide them to unprecedented successes. Just for fun, we simulated three years into the future with the new game to see how clubs across the EFL and the rest of the world had fared.
Here is how the Preston North End starting XI looked in our simulation at the close of the 2026 summer transfer window:
5. RWB - Brad Potts
Injury limits him to just 29 league appearances in the 24/25 season but apart form that he is a regular in the side throughout all three campaigns of our simulation | Getty Images
6. LWB - Thierry Small
The Southampton defender has a second loan spell at St Mirren in 23/24 then heads to Bristol City in 24/25. Preston bring him in on loan in 25/26 then make the deal permanent for a fee of £3m | AFP via Getty Images
7. CDM - Isak Hansen-Aaroen
Brought in on loan in the summer of 2026 from Man Utd having been at Italian side Cremonese the previous season | Manchester United via Getty Imag
8. CDM - Ben Whiteman
Another regular in the side throughout all three seasons of our simulation and plays every single league match of the 24/25 campaign | Getty Images