AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has welcomed the public backing he received from vice president Adriano Galliani.
Allegri’s future has been the subject of speculation during an inconsistent campaign for Milan, who have struggled at times following the departure of several key players during the off-season.
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi last week confirmed former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola had rejected the club’s advances.
But Galliani has since endorsed Allegri’s leadership, and indicated he is on the right track to earn an extension of his contract, which expires at the end of next season.
“I’ve been happy to hear Galliani’s words,” Allegri said.
“I have a good relationship with the club, the president and Galliani, whom I talk to about four or five times a day. Of course a manager is connected to the team’s results and I believe this is normal for all managers. Milan’s results include the enhancement and growth of young players, as well as creating a positive balance for the club, which will allow us to have a strong group of young players able to battle for top positions in the next three years.”
Milan are seventh on the Serie A table, eight points back from Inter Milan, who occupy the third and final Champions League qualifying berth.
Despite their mixed results to date, Allegri is confident his team can still challenge for a place in UEFA’s elite club competition.
“The third position (on) the table is not out of our reach,” he said.
“Every day we have to play the best we can. We’re sorry for being out of the Coppa Italia, but we have to see the positive side – now we have to play only one match per week and therefore we will have more time to work in order to improve the overall performance of the team,” he said, referring to Milan 2-1 extra-time defeat at Juventus on Wednesday.
Up next for Milan is a match away to Sampdoria on Sunday.
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