AC Milan and Italy legend Alessandro Costacurta has described Azzurri manager Antonio Conte as the "best coach in the world" following his Euro 2016 exploits.
The 46-year-old guided his team to qualification from the group stages in first place after just two games, before masterminding a 2-0 win over back-to-back European champions Spain in the last 16.
"The most important thing is the coach," Costacurta told BBC Sport. "And for me, the coach is the best in the world and this is showing at Euro 2016.
"The team was not a unit, it was not so organised. But after two or three training sessions, I think the team improved.
"It's always about Conte, because I think the players are not so good, they are not world-class players. So, for me, Conte is the best in the world."
Conte, who is currently preparing Italy to take on Germany in Saturday's quarter-final, will leave the post to take up the role of Chelsea head coach.