Shortlists
Define the positions the club needs to fill and rank the players it would sign for each one.
A need is a position the club wants to fill, usually in a specific transfer window. Each need has a ranked shortlist of players, and the number ones together form the shadow squad.
Recruitment & transfers → Shortlists shows all needs. The filter at the top limits them to one window (All windows, a specific window or No window), and the switch toggles between List and Shadow squad.
Create a need
Select New need
Only members with write access to recruitment see this button.
Describe the need
- Title: for example a left-footed center-back. Left empty, the need takes the name of the position.
- Position: a specific position, or Any position
- Priority: High priority, Medium priority or Low priority
- Age range: minimum and maximum age, both optional
- Window: the transfer window the need is for, or No window
- Team: when the club has more than one team
- Notes: what the coach is looking for, budget, visa or cap considerations
Save
Select Add need. The need appears as a card, and players can be added to its shortlist.
Needs are sorted by priority, then by the date they were created. Each card shows the position, priority, age range, window and the number of players on the shortlist.
Build the shortlist
Select Add player on a need. Search the club's targets by name or club; targets in the position of the need are listed first. To add someone who is not a target yet, enter a full name, current club, position and date of birth. The player is created as a target, also when the club does not have Scouting.
On the shortlist:
- Rank: the order is the club's preference, best option first. Drag a player to change the order.
- Score: when the club also has the Scouting module, the player's score is shown next to the name. A score in warning color means the player played fewer minutes than the threshold; Not scored yet and No profile chosen explain a missing score.
- Deal: if the player already has a deal, its stage is shown and links to the deal. Otherwise Start deal opens a new incoming deal for this player, linked to the need. See Deals and pipeline.
- Remove: takes the player off this shortlist. The player stays in the club's targets.
Close a need
The menu on a need card offers:
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Edit need | Change the details, including the status |
| Mark as filled | The position is filled; the need moves to the closed list |
| Cancel need | The need is no longer relevant; it moves to the closed list |
| Reopen | Returns a filled or cancelled need to the open list |
| Delete need | Deletes the need and its shortlist. Deals started for it stay, without the link |
Closed needs are collected under Filled and cancelled, collapsed by default.
Shadow squad
The Shadow squad view shows the open needs on a pitch, laid out like Squad depth. Each spot shows the number one on that need's shortlist, with the numbers two and three smaller underneath. Below the name: the stage of the player's deal, or otherwise the player's current club. High-priority needs are marked.
Needs without a position are listed below the pitch under Needs without a position. Select any spot to jump to that need in the list.
The shadow squad is not maintained separately: it always follows the shortlists. Change the order of a shortlist and the shadow squad changes with it.
Access
Every role with access to Recruitment & transfers can view needs and shortlists. Creating needs, adding players, reordering and starting deals requires write access to recruitment: the Football Director and the Recruitment role. Scores are only shown when the club has the Scouting module. See Roles and permissions.