Ossie Ardiles remains one of the most iconic footballers ever to have graced the English game. After winning the World Cup with Argentina in 1978, Ossie became the first foreign player to make an impact in the First Division, paving the way for the modern era of multinational teams. He became a household name, immortalized in Chas & Dave's hit record "Ossie's Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way to Wembley)," and is still remembered fondly today by fans both young and old. The unforgettable 1981 FA Cup Final, when the silky skills of Ossie and fellow Argentine midfielder Ricky Villa inspired Spurs to their famous victory over Man City, will always be what Ardiles is best remembered for. He also helped Spurs to retain that trophy the following year, and to win the UEFA Cup in 1984, and even found time to star in the classic football film Escape to Victory with Bobby Moore, Pelé, Michael Caine, and Sylvester Stallone. 30 years on from those glory days, Ossie retains a unique perspective on the football world, from Argentina to England and through his long career in management, with the emphasis always on style and entertainment. In his intelligent, insightful autobiography, Ossie also talks about growing up under a military dictatorship; how he was torn between two countries owing to the outbreak of the Falklands War, which claimed the life of one of his cousins; and how that football world has changed over the decades.
Osvaldo César Ardiles was born near Córdoba in 1952 and played a pivotal role in Argentina's World Cup victory in 1978, part of 63 caps he won for his country. That famous ticker-tape win in Buenos Aires attracted the attention of Tottenham Hotspur manager Keith Burkinshaw, who brought Ossie and Ricardo Villa over to England in a £750,000 transfer that made headlines around the world. Ossie became an instant hit in English football, helping Spurs lift the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982 and the UEFA Cup in 1984 and going on to score 25 goals in 311 appearances in ten years at the club. After short spells with Blackburn and QPR, Ossie moved into management with Swindon Town and tasted success once more, taking the Wiltshire side via the playoffs into the top flight of English football for the first time, only to have promotion snatched away from them owing to irregular payments made to players before Ardiles' arrival at the club. Further managerial spells followed at Newcastle, West Brom (with whom he also won promotion), and then back to Tottenham where, despite an exhilarating attacking line-up, results did not go Ossie's way. Ossie has since managed clubs in Mexico, Japan, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Israel, and Paraguay. When not managing, he divides his time between Hertfordshire and the south of Spain.
