Book description
Ossie Ardiles is one of the most iconic footballers ever to have
graced the game. After winning the World Cup with Argentina in 1978,
Ossie became the first foreign player to make an impact in England,
paving the way for the modern era of multinational teams. and was
immortalised in Chas & Dave's hit record "Ossie's Dream
(Spurs Are On Their Way to Wembley)".
In that unforgettable 1981 FA Cup Final, the silky skills of Ossie
and fellow Argentine midfielder Ricky Villa inspired Spurs to their
famous victory over Man City. He also helped Spurs to retain the
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.
Thirty years on from those glory days, Ossie has a unique
perspective on the football world, through his long career both
playing and in management, with the emphasis always on style and
entertainment. He 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, scoring 25 goals in
311 appearances in ten years at Spurs. He moved into management with
Swindon Town and took the Wiltshire side via the playoffs into the top
flight of English football for the first time, only to have promotion
snatched away. Further 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.
