Serie A's biggest earning stars

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Inter coach Jose Mourinho is the highest-paid star in Italian football, becoming the first non-player to earn more than anyone else in Serie A, according to a study in La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

According to figures published today, the 'Special One' has 11 million reasons to smile as he takes home a staggering €11m per season. The wage bill for coaches at Inter is bigger than that all of the other 19 Serie A teams put together. The Nerazzurri are still paying former coach Roberto Mancini a wage as well as Mourinho. Added together, the sum amounts to €17.5m. Serie A's other 19 clubs spend €15.7m on coach wages in total.

The wage bill for the 20 Italian clubs, which includes players and coaches, amounts to a massive €840.4m for the 2009/10 season, an increase of around €73m compared to last year.

The highest earning players are Samuel Eto'o, who inherited Zlatan Ibrahimovic's €10.5m, followed by Milan ace Ronaldinho, who is on €7.5m. Gianluigi Buffon and Patrick Vieira are both on €5.5m. Italian second choice goalkeeper Federico Marchetti earns the least compared to his Nazionale colleagues. The Cagliari man takes home €150,000 per term.

Here is the richest starting XI: Buffon (5.5m); Maicon (4.5m), Lucio (4.5m), Nesta (4m), Chivu (3.5m); Vieira (5.5m), Pirlo (5m), Sneijder (4m); Ronaldinho (7.5m), Eto'o (10.5m), Totti (5.46m).

Below is the list which shows the clubs with the highest wage bill. Inter's success at the top of the league is reflected through their total expenditure on salaries.

Inter: €150m
Milan: €125.5m
Juventus: €115m
Roma: €69.7m
Fiorentina: €40m
Genoa: €38m
Napoli: €37m
Lazio: €32.9m
Palermo: €30m
Parma: €26m
Sampdoria: €24m
Bari: €20m
Bologna: €20m
Cagliari: €19m
Udinese: €18m
Siena: €17.5m
Catania: €17.5m
Livorno: €14.3m
Chievo: €13m
Atalanta: €13m

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Coach: Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan)

Annual earnings: £9.6million

Still proving to be the Special One, Mourinho led Inter Milan to the Serie A title in his first season as manager. Regarded as one of the best coaches in world football after successful spells at Chelsea and Porto.

Striker: Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan)

Annual earnings: £9.16million

Cameroon hitman scored 108 goals for Barcelona, making him the fourth top goalscorer in their history. Scored the opening goal as Barca beat Man United 2-0 win the Champions League final in May before moving to Italy this summer.

Right midfield: Ronaldinho (AC Milan)

Annual earnings: £6.54million

One of the most gifted players of his generation. Scored 70 goals in 145 appearances for Barcelona before moving to Milan in 2008. The midfield genius has 87 Brazil caps to his name, scoring 37 goals.

Annual earnings: £4.8million

One of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Buffon has won 96 caps for Italy and was in goal for their World Cup triumph in 2006, where he kept five clean sheets.

Central midfield: Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan)

Annual earnings: £4.8million

The French midfielder was rated Arsenal's fifth greatest player of all time by fans on the official club website. One of the greatest midfielders in the world on his day — but probably now past his best.

Striker: Francesco Totti (Roma)

Annual earnings: £4.76million

He is currently the top active Serie A goalscorer and ninth overall in all-time Italian league history with 179 goals. A legend at Roma, he is the club's most capped player for Italy with 58 appearances.

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Annual earnings: £4.36million

An inventive midfielder who can be lethal with his free-kicks. He is a defensive playmaker for his club and Italy. Chelsea were keen to sign him this summer, but Milan refused to let him leave.

Annual earnings: £3.93million

The Brazilian is another who has been rated at the top of his profession. A classy defender who has made the position his own at the San Siro. Already has 49 international caps to his name.

Annual earnings: £3.93million

Experienced central defender who is the captain of Brazil. The 6ft 1in powerhouse is also a weapon in attack, making runs into the opponent's half using his technique and aerial ability to full effect.

Annual earnings: £3.49million

Attacking Dutch midfielder signed from Real Madrid this summer. He's a dead-ball specialist, who is also quick, strong on the ball and a great passer.

Annual earnings: £3.49million

Capped 78 times for Italy. He is a world-class centre-half who has been a four-time member of the annual UEFA Team of the Year. Only Thierry Henry has more appearances, with five.

Annual earnings: £3.05million

Life at the San Siro could not have started better for the quality Romanian captain. The defender has won back-to-back Serie A titles in his first two seasons since signing from Roma in 2007.