Not much English in English clubs' success - Ranieri

The success enjoyed by Premier League clubs in Europe has more to do with imported skill and cash than English superiority, Juventus coach and former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri said.

The failure of any of Serie A's representatives to reach the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League has prompted soul searching in Italy.

England, in contrast, has three teams in the semi-finals for the third consecutive year after Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal progressed to the last four this week.

"There are very few English people in the English teams, what with the (foreign) owners, coaches and players," Ranieri said.

Ranieri, whose side were knocked out by his former team Chelsea in the last 16, suggested spending power is the main difference.

"We talk about English football but we are talking about the football of economics," he said. "Many (clubs) invest, one of them wins the title and another wins the Champions League, but that does not mean the others have invested badly."

Inter coach Jose Mourinho, who won the 2005 and 2006 Premier League titles at Chelsea after succeeding Ranieri there, said Serie A was no weaker than the English or Spanish top flights.

"I know the other championships because I played three years in England and four years in Spain and I don't agree that Serie A is inferior," said Mourinho.

"Maybe there aren't these really strong teams in Italy but game-after-game it's more difficult."