BADEN, Austria (AFP) - AC Milan midfield dynamo Gennaro Gattuso said he is delighted that Jose Mourinho has come to ply his trade in Italy, despite signing for cross-city rivals Inter.

Gattuso is in Austria preparing for Euro 2008 with the Italy squad but he took time out to reflect on the arrival in his country of one of the most charismatic coaches in the modern game.

The Portuguese boss has been a resounding success at his two previous clubs, FC Porto and Chelsea where he won the Champions League, UEFA Cup, four domestic titles, two domestic cups and two English League Cups during five glorious years from 2002 to 2007.

Now he has arrived in Italy amid much pomp and fanfare to a team that is already dominating Serie A but which craves success on the European stage.

And Gattuso said he has been impressed by what he has seen so far from Mourinho.

"I like him, he's shown he has a strong character," said Gattuso. "The first time he did an interview in Italy he introduced himself in Italian.

"It's not easy coming to Italy and speaking Italian, he speaks better Italian than I do," he joked.

"It's important for our football to have Mourinho, to have a great coach in our country. It's just a shame he's gone to Inter!"

However, Gattuso insisted that he was happy with the coach at his own club, Carlo Ancelotti, who is one of only five men to have won the Champions League or European Cup both as a player and as a coach.

"We also have a special coach," said Gattuso, making a veiled reference to Mourinho's self-description as 'The Special One' at his first press conference after joining Chelsea in 2004.

"We have won so much and part of that is due to him (Ancelotti) and the way he works.

"But I like Mourinho and the way he conducts himself and the way he works."

Meanwhile, in Milan Inter president Massimo Moratti revealed that Mourinho has given him a list of transfer targets, although he said there wouldn't be many new arrivals.

"He has indicated more or less the players he would like to add to those we already have," said Moratti.

"But he is convinced in the strength of the team we have here. We could have three or four players whose contracts end and then we will see in their positions."

While Mourinho has come to Italy and Ancelotti has pledged to stay at Milan and rejecting Chelsea's approaches, managerless Chelsea have allegedly turned their attentions to AS Roma's Luciano Spalletti, who pushed Inter all the way to the final day of the Serie A title race.

Roma attacking midfielder Simone Perrotta, who is also part of the Italy squad here, said it is understandable that his club coach should be much sought-after.

"It doesn't surprise me that in London they are looking at Spalletti because he's a great coach," he said.

"He doesn't speak English but an intelligent person can learn it quickly.

"I, however, can't give him a hand. I speak Roman and I intend on staying at my club."