Albania's premier Edi Rama on Tuesday called Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio 'the Special One', referencing the self-styled moniker of Portuguese soccer coach Jose Mourinho.
"Premier Giuseppe Conte has brought us a 'special one'. Italy has lost Mourinho but it has a good substitute in Di Maio," Rama told reporters in the Albanian capital, Tirana.
Mourinho led Serie A team Inter-Milan to unparalleled success in 2008-2010 but has not trained an Italian side since.
Mourinho was dubbed 'the Special One' by media after he told a press conference on joining Chelsea in 2004: "I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one."
Di Maio, 33, became Italy's top diplomat in September last year. He resigned as leader of the ruling anti-establishment Five-Star Movement in January amid fierce in-fighting and a collapse in support for the party.
