As well as backing the Swans to prove Wales manager John Toshack wrong in his prediction of struggle, Cruyff – who played with Roberto as a junior – said that the line to his father – the legendary Johan – is always open should the Swans look to seek advice down that route.
Cruyff junior was speaking after the Swans four match tour of Spain that saw them win 2 and draw 1 and they now are back in the UK preparing for their final three pre-season games starting tomorrow at Roberto's previous club – Chester.
Cruyff told the Western Mail "I watched the games against Espanyol and Palamos and you have to say it was difficult for Swansea
“But this was quite different than games in Britain because they were playing against teams with the same system and style.
“The difference is Espanyol have been playing it for 10 years and Swansea 18 months.
“It is the same through Spanish football, but these games will be good for Swansea because of the questions that have been asked with the way these teams play.
“And, even though I know Roberto has a very young team, you can see they are also very hungry and I think they will be all right.
“They had a brilliant season last year and I’m sure they will do well.
“The door is always open for Roberto to speak to my father
“Whenever he wants to speak to my dad about something, or any advice I could give him, we are always available.
“And Roberto knows that – but he also knows there are probably not a lot of tips I could give him any more.
“He has done brilliantly and has had a great season last year and now they find themselves in a new division.
“He’s won more games than he’s lost, but, of course, he’s now going into a new league and we will all have to see how things go.
“You are always learning in football, but, in my opinion, he’s capable of handling any pressure and his tactical approach is spot on.
“He can see things happening out on the pitch very quickly and has the ability to make a tactical move to change the game. He’s taking another step this season but I think he will be fine.
“I sort of grew up with Roberto, when we were both 14, I was in the Barca youth side and he was with Real Zaragoza and we got to know each other.
“Then, when I moved to Manchester, Roberto was at Wigan and we spoke pretty much every day – he was a real friend for me.
“We’ve stayed in touch since and quite often we’ll speak on the phone after a game.
“He was always football crazy and the perfect professional – he was always about team spirit where I was the type of player that would be frustrated if I wasn’t playing.
“I never doubted he could turn his hand to management and I don’t think he did either.
“When he had the chance to take over at Swansea he still had a couple of years left at Chester and I think that was the only sort of decision he faced at that time.
“I knew how much he loved playing and I knew he thought he would have to give up playing if he wanted to go into management properly.
“So when he phoned and asked me what he should do, knowing how big his feelings were for Swansea,
“I just told him this was his destiny. It was his moment.
“And I think he already knew that and the possibilities he saw at Swansea were a bigger pull than any desire to keep playing.”
This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.