BAC signs up Ardiles to squad

FOOTBALL legend and former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ossie Ardiles has signed up to a law firm as consultant in sport and business.

Ardiles, the high-profile Argentinian who came to the UK as a player in 1978, will be an "ambassador" for Soho-based Barnett Alexander Chart (BAC) and open doors for its growing sport and commercial practice.

The firm stresses that Ardiles will not be advising in a legal capacity, but providing contacts and advice, especially on Argentinian business.

Former law student Ardiles, whose father and brothers are lawyers back home, was introduced to the firm by a "mutual business associate". Recently sacked by Spurs, he is still hoping to secure another football management job and stresses "football is my main priority".

But he says the commitment to BAC is firm and long-term.

"When I had the opportunity to come I jumped at it," he says, adding that he was looking for more "intellectual" pursuits.

"The relationship between Argentina and the UK is becoming very close right now," says Ardiles.

As to the kind of work he will help out with, the soccer celebrity will only say: "We're developing a lot of ideas."

BAC already has links with Argentinia, and the sports department has a number of well-known footballers as clients.

The man behind the "transfer deal" bringing Ardiles to the firm is partner and head of sport Jeff Rubenstein.

"This is a long-term arrangement. It's certainly not a gimmick. It's part of our business," he says.