Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez was not only born to be a footballer - he was born to be a manager.
Born in Balageur, Spain, football played a major role in the Martinez household from the moment young Roberto took his first breath of warm Spanish air.
His father, also called Roberto, was an ex-pro who had already broken into management as boss of Spanish second division sides Lerida and Balaguer. So football was something Roberto junior was not only born into, but grew into.
"I've always been in a football and managerial environment,'' he explained.
"Since I was about two years old the pressure to get a result on a Saturday was always there. If my father got the right result we had a fantastic week, if not all the family suffered,'' he joked.
Martinez admits that the fact that his father was a manager had a massive influence on him and his thinking.
"It's difficult to become a manager. You are either born or with it or you're not.
"I was born with it. In fact, that's all I've had in my head since I was a little child. It's all I've wanted to do - after playing, that is.
"I know what is involved in management and I'm going into it with my eyes wide open.
"I know I'm going from enjoying my football for two hours a day to thinking about another 26 people for 24 hours, seven days a week.
"But I'm ready.''
Roberto, who made his La Liga debut in 1993 for Real Zaragoza against Athletico Madrid, had his first taste of British football back in 1995 when he was snapped up by Wigan.
The club had just escaped relegation from the old Third Division when Martinez arrived from his home-town club Balaguer.
Wigan's new chairman Dave Whelan, the wealthy local owner of JJB Sports, had just taken over and given manager Graham Barrow some much-needed financial backing
And when Whelan's business dealings took him to Spain, he returned with not one, but three Spaniards.
Martinez and Isidro Diaz arrived from Balaguer, while Jesus Seba was signed from Real Zaragoza.
The "Three Amigos" were an instant hit with the fans, showing a flair that had not been seen before at Wigan, with Martinez's matador-style goal celebrations going down a storm as he scored on his debut at Gillingham.
Later in the season Martinez, the first Spanish player to transfer to England under the Bosman ruling, also became the first Spaniard to score in the FA Cup when they beat Runcorn. He finished that first season as top scorer with 13 goals.
"When I first saw Roberto I knew he was something special,'' recalled his old boss Graham Barrow. "As I sat watching him play for Balaguer against Real Zaragoza, I was amazed at his passing and vision.
"I couldn't believe my luck when I discovered afterwards that he was available on a free transfer.
"Not only has he been a big success in Britain, he's a real gentleman, a great ambassador and someone who I think has the makings of a good coach."
Barrow spent the first three weeks at Wigan using one of his YTS boys as a translator, thinking Martinez couldn't speak English.
"It turned out he was a fluent English speaker all along,'' quipped Barrow.
"I could speak fairly good English,'' confirmed Martinez. "But to be honest with you I couldn't understand the strong Wigan accent. But you should have seen the look on Graham's face when I started to talk back to him in English!"
Having completed the challenges at Wigan in July 2001 where he became a cult-hero with 226 appearances in a six-season spell, he endured a brief stint in Scotland with Motherwell and a season at Walsall, only to spend most of his time on loan at Swansea from January to May, 2003.
His biggest challenge at the Vetch under manager Brian Flynn was to help maintain SwanseaCity's Football League status as they battled against relegation to the Conference.
The rest, as they say, is history, as Martinez led the Swans to safety with a nail-biting finale against Hull. Promotion to League One followed under manager Kenny Jackett along with a Football League Trophy triumph at the Millennium Stadium; two FAW Premier Cups and a Play-Off final.
Unfortunately, Roberto's direct love affair with the Swans was torn apart at the end of last season when Jackett opted against renewing his contract after 122 League appearances.
Roberto left broken hearted to join Chester on a two-year contract only to be drawn back to the Liberty Stadium at the offer of "a dream job''.
The romance is back on . . .
Swansea City's new manager won't be happy playing Championship football - he wants the Premiership.
Speaking at his official press conference at the Liberty Stadium in the week, Roberto was adamant that he is not prepared to settle for second best.
"When I first came to this club in 2003 I had certain challenges which I was lucky enough to achieve. Now my next challenge is to reach the Premiership with SwanseaCity - the most exciting challenge of my life.
"I feel I'm well prepared and ready for that challenge at a fantastic football club that I love dearly. I want to win every single game. That was always my aim as a player and it's not going to change now I've stepped into management.
"I've told the players that every time they play for SwanseaCity they are expected to win. I think that's been missing in recent weeks and it's important I get that direction and stability back.
"We've got some fantastic players at the club and we need to get that back as well. I don't want my players going out on the defensive; I want my players to be brave.''
Fan power
Roberto Martinez is desperate to hear that famous Swans roar again.
Having built up a fantastic relationship with the fans as a player, Martinez the manager wants that relationship to prosper even more as he takes his place in front of the dug-out.
"The fans have always been there when we've needed them the most,'' he said. "They were there when we were fighting to save our Football League status and during our promotion and cup campaigns.
"Now I need them again - as part of my staff. I want them to feel that they are important and represented, but most of all I want the fans to get behind the players like they've done in the past.
"If we can have their full support, I feel we'll be starting with a big advantage over the other teams in this division. Every single shout from the stands is important.''
What they said . . . about Roberto's appointment
Alan Curtis (legend)
"It's extraordinary to think how young John Toshack (28) was when he was made Swansea manager, yet he's probably the most successful manager we've ever had.
"And I don't see any reason why Roberto can't be a success at Swansea. If there's anyone capable of coming in and doing a good job without having any previous experience, it's him.
"Roberto is a very good pro, who, I believe, will really connect with the players.
"He talks a lot of sense, he knows the game inside out and I remember him always keeping notes and profiles. I've got a good feeling about it."
Gary Monk (club captain)
"He always wanted to come back to Swansea one day. It's happened sooner than we expected, but I think he'll do a great job as manager."
Alan Tate (player)
"I think Roberto would do a good job as manager here. Roberto is football mad. I know how thorough he is because he always used to keep notes of everything we did at training sessions.
"It's all about what you hold in your brain and I think he's prepared to be a manager. I don't see why he wouldn't do a good job for Swansea."
Mark Wright (Chester manager)
"Roberto is one of those people who you would want to marry your daughter because he's so damn nice. I understand why they like him down in Swansea. If he goes, it will be a big loss.''
Huw Jenkins (chairman)
"Roberto is a very determined man and he will do whatever he has to do in order to be successful. He's a nice person but can also look after himself and knows what he wants.
"We went with our gut feeling and that was to go with Roberto. He wants to play the type of football we'd like to watch.''
