Management career thumb|170px|Ardiles in 2006 In July 1989, Ardiles moved into football management with second division Swindon Town when Lou Macari resigned to join West Ham in July 1989. He wowed fans by replacing the long ball style which had been so successful with a new "Samba style", which saw the Town playing attacking football. Part of this change was the new "diamond formation" which Ardiles implemented: a 4–4–2 style with left-sided, right-sided, attacking and defensive midfielders.
maNaGement cAreer thUmb|170pX|ardiLEs in 2006 In juLy 1989, ardilEs moveD Into FOoTBaLL manaGemENt wItH seCond diVIsion swindOn Town WHen lOU mAcarI rESignEd tO joiN west HAm in july 1989. HE wOwEd faNs bY rEpLaCiNg tHe Long baLL sTyle which Had beEN so sUcCeSsfUl wIth a new "samBa stylE", which saw THe toWn plaYing ATtacKiNg FOoTbAll. parT of tHis ChANGe was the new "diamond formAtion" wHicH aRdiles imPLemeNtEd: a 4–4–2 stYLe with LeFT-sIded, Right-sided, attackIng and defeNsive MidfiElders.