 After a spell coaching at Bromsgrove Rovers, Gardiner returned to their Worcestershire neighbours Redditch United for his first management job.In spite of challenging times financially, he guided the club to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup  and helped to develop a number of players including striker Matt Smith who went on to play for Oldham Athletic, Leeds United, Fulham, QPR and Millwall.He left in February 2011 when the playing budget was cut to zero and linked up with Worcester City - first on the scouting side and then, in May 2011, as assistant manager to Carl Heeley.