Jose Mourinho is the best coach in the world claimed Argentine national handler Diego Maradona on Tuesday.

Maradona - who was in Milan to watch several of his compatriots play in the Italian Cup clash between Mourinho's Inter Milan and Genoa on Tuesday - said the coach known as the 'Special One' had everything required of a coach.

"Mourinho is the coach I would have hired had I been president of no matter what club," said the Argentine playing legend, who almost single-handedly inspired Argentina to the 1986 World Cup trophy.

"He was the best possible buy (Mourinho arrived as a replacement for Roberto Mancini in the summer of last year) and I also said that to Inter president (Massimo) Moratti when I had the opportunity to do so.

"Jose has everything: he knows how to talk to the players, to the press, and in the dressing room. For me he is the best," added Maradona, who replaced Alfio Basile in early November after a series of disappointing results in their 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

(Agencies via China Daily January 15, 2009)