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 former Argentinian playing legend, who almost singlehandedly 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.

Inter battle to beat 10-man Genoa

Inter Milan booked an Italian Cup quarter-final date with AS Roma but they made heavy weather of beating a Genoa side 3-1 yesterday after their opponents were reduced to 10 men in the 20th minute.

Inter - who have faced Roma in the last four Italian Cup finals with both sides winning it twice – progressed eventually thanks to extra-time goals by Argentinian midfielder Esteban Cambiasso - who was being watched by national coach Diego Maradona - and Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Unpredictable Brazilian striker Adriano had put Inter ahead with 15 minutes remaining but a mistake by Argentinian defender Walter Samuel let in Genoa's captain Marco Rossi to level four minutes later.

Adriano had a curate's egg of a match having originally won the penalty in the 20th minute that saw Genoa's Giuseppe Biava sent-off - Adriano, though, had his penalty saved by the outstanding Genoa goalkeeper Alessio Scarpi.

Time and time again Scarpi saved his side, but eventually something had to give and the barrel-chested Adriano headed home from a cross by Maxwell in the 75th minute - only for Rossi to benefit from Samuel's mistake minutes later.