By Gareth Vincent
South Wales Evening Post

Roberto Martinez can dial the Johan Cruyff helpline if he needs any tips on how to succeed in the dugout at Swansea City.

But Jordi Cruyff, son of the Dutch footballing legend, doesn't expect Martinez to bother his old man - because he already knows what is needed to thrive in the Championship.

Former Manchester United star Jordi got to know Martinez when he was a teenager at Barcelona and Swansea's manager was learning his trade in the youth ranks at Real Zaragoza.

The pair have remained close ever since, meeting up every day when Jordi was at Old Trafford and Martinez was playing for Wigan Athletic.

"The door is always open for Roberto whenever he wants to speak with my dad about something," said Jordi, who won nine Holland caps.

"You have always got to keep learning, but Roberto has won many more games than he has lost since he became a manager and I don't think there are many tips he needs.

"Now he and the team have a new test in a new division and they will have to see how things go.

"But I know Roberto is capable of handling any pressure, and he is capable of seeing things on the pitch and making a tactical switch to change a game.

"It's a new challenge this season for Swansea, but I have no doubt that Roberto will do well."

Jordi, who spent last season playing in Ukraine, keeps in touch with goings on at the Liberty Stadium via phone calls with Martinez and the internet.

And the 34-year-old admits he encouraged Martinez to take the plunge into management when the call came from Swansea chief Huw Jenkins 18 months ago.

"Roberto has always been football crazy," he added.

"He has always had it in him to be a manager and he has adapted to English football better than any of the rest of us.

"I remember when he got the chance with Swansea. He still had a couple of years on his contract at Chester.

''He didn't really have doubts, but he did say 'What would you do?' I told him it was destiny. I know how much he loves playing football and I'm sure he would have liked to carry on.

"But his feelings for Swansea and the possibilities he saw at the club outweighed all that."

Jordi watched Swansea in action twice during their pre-season tour of Spain, taking in the 4-0 defeat by Espanyol and the 1-0 win over Palamos.

"It was difficult against Espanyol," he said.

"Both sides played the same system, but the difference is that Espanyol have been playing it for 10 years and Swansea have been playing it for 18 months.

"Swansea had a brilliant season last year and, even though Roberto has a very young team, I think they are very hungry and I think they will be all right."

After starting his career at Camp Nou, Jordi spent four years at United before returning to Spain in 2000.

He is aware of stories linking Martinez with a move to the Theatre of Dreams as Sir Alex Ferguson's No. 2, but he doesn't think it will happen.

"Roberto has been asking for loyalty from his players," he said, "and it would be a little bit strange if he was the one who left.

"Even if United came in, I don't think Roberto would consider it."

Swansea returned from Spain last night with a decent return of two wins, one draw and one loss from their tour games.

"I think some people think that we went to my home to win games," Martinez said. "But that's not the case. We went to improve as a squad and in that sense the trip was a huge success."

Swansea have been boosted by news that striker Guillem Bauza will not face a domestic ban after his red card in Monday's draw against Barcelona Atletic.