Claudio Ranieri has revealed he voted for Jose Mourinho to win the coach of the year award in Italy.

The Roma boss believes Mourinho fully deserved the Panchina d'Oro, which was awarded to the Portuguese yesterday after he led Inter Milan to an historic Coppa Italia, Serie A and UEFA Champions League treble last season.

"It's a truly deserved award and I also voted for Mourinho," said Ranieri.

To win the Scudetto with Inter was easy, but to guide the club to a treble last season is something impressive.
Claudio Ranieri on Jose Mourinho

"To win the Scudetto with Inter was easy, but to guide the club to a treble last season is something impressive. Besides our arguments, I have a lot of respect for him."

Ranieri finished third behind Mourinho and Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri, who guided Sampdoria into the Champions League last season. Roma were runners-up in Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Mourinho, who succeeded Ranieri as manager of Chelsea in 2004, left Inter to coach Real Madrid last summer.