The successful Football Manager is not an island. A bulging backroom staff is on hand to help you manage the club and to take some of the stress our of your role. This screen enables you to ask your assistant manager to take a more active role in the running of the club, so you can concentrate on other areas.

This screen also enables you to ask other members of staff to take on duties that will help you assess their worth and take the pressure off your assistant.

Friendlies
During the short pre-season period you'll be charged with offloading and recruiting players, preparing your tactics for the season ahead and ensuring your players are fit and ready for the new campaign. You could do without having to arrange a schedule of friendly matches, so check this box and let your assistant worry about it.

First Team
If you are unsure of how your tactics are serving you, or you simply would like a break to see how your players react to a fresh approach to each game, you can ask your assistant to control first team matters for friendlies. This is useful for giving you a breather while you perform intensive duties such as searching for new players too.

Reserve and Youth Teams
Often when left to their own devices your staff will not make the best decisions when it comes to selecting a team for your reserve and youth squad games. If you want to see a particular player in action first hand, but you can't afford to risk him in a full match, taking temporary control of the secondary squads is an ideal way to do so. This technique is perfect if you want to eye a trialist.

If you are a control freak you can always take the reigns for all teams on a permanent basis.

If you wish to train your players at all levels in the current tactics you're deploying at first team level, checking this box will mean your fringe players are familiar with the way you play and will more easily make the step up to first-team level.

In the case of all squads, you can save time on contract renewals by asking your assistant to take care of them. This is less fraught with danger at youth and reserve level, but given the profound effect such negotiations can have on player happiness, most Football Managers choose to take care of first team contracts themselves.

Note: If you are unhappy with any of your staff members' performance you can seek a replacement by placing an advert in the job centre.