In the 27 years I've been designing these soccer management games, probably the game that has been most successful both commercially and critically was a game called Mexico 86. This was an international management
game.
That is something of a surprise as the international game generally doesn't have the appeal of the club game. It's usually thought of as having less depth. But it does have a zip to it, an intensity that makes up for
this.
It may be relatively short-lived and without the longevity of the club game but the challenge is often even more intense and demands a quick grasp of the qualities of the players to succeed.