When Should You Use the Assistant Manager Chip in FPL? Five Key Scenarios

Attention, Fantasy Premier League managers! Starting from gameweek 24 (1 February 2025), the game debuts the exciting Assistant Manager chip.

While this new addition might seem somewhat perplexing at first, fear not; strategic planning will be essential to unleash its full potential.

No need to panic! We’ve meticulously developed a guide to navigate these waters, presenting five optimal strategies for activating this intriguing chip.

Upon activation, you’ll enlist a Premier League manager into your squad for a three-week window. Their team’s performance will translate to FPL points, adding an enthralling dimension to your strategy.

How does the assistant manager score points?

His team wins = 6 points

His team draws = 3 points

His team scores a goal = 1 point per goal

His team keeps a clean sheet = 2 points

Table bonus = 10 extra points for a win, or five extra points for a draw, if the manager faces a club ranked at least five places higher in the table (at the start of the gameweek)

What will the assistant manager cost?

While prices are still under wraps, expect a range between £0.5m and £1.5m, and the crucial factor is that this expense must be accommodated within your existing budget. Strategic foresight is non-negotiable.

Does the assistant manager count towards my quota of three players from any club?

Yes. Sorry.

Three pivotal details emerge when preparing your strategy for the chip; beyond ensuring a bit of financial flexibility.

Playing other chips

First and foremost, while this chip is in play, the use of any other chips is strictly off-limits. Craft a rough plan to utilize your Triple Captain and keep your wildcard strategy in sight.

Utilizing your wildcard prior to deploying the Assistant Manager chip can be a tactical advantage.

Transferring managers

Secondly, while activating the chip doesn’t cost you a transfer, switching your assistant manager within that three-week spell will incur a transfer penalty, akin to making a player purchase.

This opens an opportunity for shrewd managers to maximize potential gains by targeting favorable fixtures.

Top managers have less upside

Interestingly, due to the table bonus, selecting a top-club manager isn’t always the wisest choice. Mikel Arteta, Arne Slot, and Enzo Maresca have accumulated fewer than 32 points over their best three-week stretches this season, while Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola towers above with a staggering 47-point tally after navigating victories against both Arsenal and Manchester City. Predicting those shock wins, of course, is the art of this game!

So, will you take the safe route or gamble for the glory?

Mikel Arteta’s men may not have dazzled consistently this season, yet their recent demolition of Crystal Palace serves as a stern reminder of their capability to string together impressive performances.

The Gunners, alongside Liverpool, boast a reputation for accruing clean sheets, which are crucial for maximizing points with this newly minted chip.

Can Arsenal feasibly clinch at least a 2-0 victory over Fulham, Everton, and Brentford? The answer is a resounding yes – and if they do, FPL managers could be looking at a handsome 30 points.

Glance at those initial fixtures set for Chelsea, and it’s hard not to get excited. With Saints and Leicester currently faltering, expect a veritable feast of goals for the Blues.

A hypothetical 4-0 drubbing would translate into a solid 12 points for you.

However, the trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal looms ominously. That fixture presents a serious downside, potentially yielding neither points nor the treasured table bonus.

With that in mind, perhaps consider swapping in a different manager for a one-week gamble in gameweek 29. Potential matchups such as Ipswich vs. Nottingham Forest, Everton vs. West Ham, and Leicester vs. Manchester United could present fruitful upset opportunities for the home side.

If the stars align, the much-anticipated Merseyside derby—previously postponed due to Storm Darragh—could make its reappearance in gameweek 24, yielding a mouthwatering double gameweek opportunity just as the Assistant Manager chip is introduced.

Should this come to fruition, Arne Slot immediately becomes a notable contender.

Liverpool checks all boxes—high win probability, goal-scoring prowess, and defensive solidity.

And if the West Ham fixture is a potential swing match, the prospect of subbing in an alternative manager for a one-game week may take the sting out of facing Manchester City away at the end of this run.

However, there are a couple of considerations to weigh…

In the event of a double gameweek, would you instead prefer to triple captain the prodigious Mohamed Salah? Keep in mind that utilizing multiple chips concurrently is a no-go.

Furthermore, opting for Slot means you’ll be limited to two Liverpool players. Should Salah be one of them, your flexibility significantly diminishes, complicating your decisions moving forward.

Brentford’s offensive prowess is no fluke. After the first 16 weeks of competition, they ranked third for goals scored in the league with an impressive tally of 32, outpacing even formidable Liverpool.

This places them in an advantageous position to accumulate a fair share of points, notwithstanding that goals only fetch a solitary point each.

Playing at home gives the Bees a clear edge, as this slate includes two fixtures on their Gtech Community Stadium pitch, likely offering a table bonus opportunity during their clash against Aston Villa, and a trip to the fragile Leicester.

Moreover, Brentford’s timing aligns perfectly, potentially freeing up your triple captain or bench boost for Liverpool in gameweek 24 or later, as the Carabao Cup final triggers a mini double gameweek for several teams.

For those ambitious souls hoping to aim for the stars with their strategies, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner represents an enticing choice.

This is a team brimming with attacking talent, capable of toppling any opponent when in form and seemingly shaking off a rocky start to the season.

With Aston Villa’s struggles on the road this season, a clash with them suggests potential for a table bonus opportunity.

Ipswich will likely be the stage for a decisive victory, and Newcastle away? That could be a real test, but even a draw there can yield significant points!

Naturally, such a bold choice carries its risks—failure could result in a disappointing score if they slip in any fixture!

If you’ve unearthed a more favorable three-match stretch for another manager, we welcome your input in the comments!