Rome - Renzo Ulivieri, the president of the Italian association of football coaches (AIAC), Monday criticized Jose Mourinho for suggesting that some of his colleagues lack dignity and let others choose the players to field.

"(Inter Milan's) Mourinho is an (AIAC) associate and I'm glad he is," the 68-year-old Ulivieri was quoted as saying, "but this time, if I have to choose the words, he was way out of line (in his colourful Italian expression: 'peed out of the vase').

"Ask (England's coach Fabio) Capello, (Italy's Marcello) Lippi, (Roma's Luciano) Spalletti, (Fiorentina's Cesare) Prandelli, (Cagliari's Massimiliano) Allegri. Ask them if they let others select the lineup."

Mourinho Sunday returned to a statement he made last week about "coaches who lose their dignity."

The Portuguese coach said that while he alone chooses the team to send on the pitch "there are many coaches who don't do it. Football is full of them.

"If anyone told me how to select my line-up, the following day my office would be empty and my suitcases ready."

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, who appeared to be in Mourinho's sights, joked that "with (AC Milan owner Silvio) Berlusconi, I won two (European titles) as player (in 1989 and 1990) and two as assistant coach (in 2003 and 2007)."

Ulivieri added that Mourinho, who joined Inter last summer, doesn't seem to appreciate Italy.

"Probably he doesn't like that (underdogs) Cagliari gave him a hard time (drawing 1-1 in Milan in January)."

Speaking on a public radio show Monday, Cagliari coach Allegri said he often exchanges views with club president Massimo Cellino.

Allegri said that "Morinho's words were pathetic. Talking about other coaches was not fair. A lack of respect." (dpa)