Introducing the Fantasy Premier League Assistant Manager Chip: Everything You Need to Know

Today, the official Fantasy Premier League account announced what the exciting new addition to the game is: the Assistant Manager chip. Previously teased as the "Mystery Chip," this new feature lets Fantasy managers bring real-life Premier League bosses into their squads.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly how the Assistant Manager chip works, how it scores points, and the strategies you can use to get the most out of it. Whether you’re looking to gain an edge in your mini-league or maximise your rank, here’s everything you need to know.

What is the FPL Assistant Manager Chip?

Have you ever wished you could bring the tactical genius of Arne Slot or Julen Lopetegui - ok maybe not the second one - into your Fantasy Football squad? Now you can! FPL managers can take advantage of the new Assistant Manager chip to earn points based on the performance of real-life Premier League managers.

How does it work?

Starting from Gameweek 24 in January, the Assistant Manager chip will be available to play at any point during the 2024/25 season. Once activated, you'll select a Premier League manager to earn points for their club's results over a three-Gameweek period.

Here’s the twist: selecting an Assistant Manager doesn’t use a free transfer, but if you decide to swap them during the active period, it will count as a transfer. Remember, you can only use one chip per Gameweek. For instance, if you play the Assistant Manager chip in Gameweek 24, you won’t be able to activate another chip until Gameweek 27.

If a manager leaves their club during this period, don’t worry—points will still be scored based on the original club’s performance.

How do you earn points?

Your chosen manager will score points based on their team’s performance, but you can’t captain them. The scoring system is straightforward:

• Team win: 6 points
• Team draw: 3 points
• Goal scored by team: 1 point per goal
• Clean sheet: 2 points
• Table bonus: Face a team ranked at least five places higher, and your manager earns extra points: 10 additional points for a win (16 total) or 5 extra points for a draw (8 total).

This setup gives you a strategic choice:

• Back a top manager from a team in the top four, for consistent points from wins, goals, and clean sheets.
• Opt for a high-risk, high-reward strategy with a manager from a mid-table club who could earn table-bonus points against tougher opponents.

Spotting the best fixtures for the Assistant Manager chip

One of the most exciting aspects of this chip is the potential for table-bonus points, especially in a closely contested Premier League season.

For example, Spurs, managed by Ange Postecoglou, could be a strong choice. If they’re 11th (as they are now) and beat Forest, who are fourth, you’d earn extra points thanks to the table-bonus win.

Strategic tips for playing the chip

The Assistant Manager chip could be a powerful tool during Double Gameweeks (DGWs), where teams play twice in one Gameweek. This gives you the opportunity to score from four matches over the three-Gameweek period.

However, it’s worth noting that managers count towards the three-player-per-club limit. For instance, if you already own Bukayo Saka and bring in Mikel Arteta, you’d only have room for one more Arsenal player in your squad.

How much will it cost?

Assistant Managers have fixed prices ranging from £0.5m to £1.5m, which will be revealed soon. These costs will come out of your existing budget, so you may need to adjust your squad accordingly.

Keep an eye on Fantasy Football Fix content for more tips and insights as you plan how to use this exciting new chip to maximise your points!