Allegri rejects sacking rumours

Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has claimed he is not concerned about the sack, despite an indifferent start to the Serie A season.

Allegri is under pressure to get results following the departures of key players Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Antonio Cassano during the transfer window.

Milan lost their opening game of the season, losing 1-0 to promoted Sampdoria, and although they turned that around with a 3-1 win away to Bologna, speculation remains Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani wants to sack Allegri.

“When I joined Milan, everyone said I couldn’t be Milan’s head coach,” Allegri said.

“Then the team won the championship and the Super Cup and we have managed to gain many points.

“I believe many people’s aim is to coach Milan but I guess this is normal since Milan’s coach is always the centre of attention.

“In any case I’m not worried (about getting sacked) because I’m thinking only of my team.

“I know that we must improve.

“I’ve known it from the beginning since the departures of Ibrahimovic and Thiago.”

Milan will host Atalanta on Saturday and Allegri has tried to take the pressure off the younger members of his team, arguing they should go out and play rather than worry about losing.

“The team must show more courage and push forward,” Allegri said.

“Right now the team should be feeling relaxed and they mustn’t be worried more than necessary about the results and the performance.

“I’m saying this also because the team is new and is made of many young guys, therefore they should show enthusiasm as well as technical skills and team play.”

Allegri also dismissed fears about the fitness of new striker Giampaolo Pazzini, who did not complete all of Milan’s training session on Thursday due to a knee problem.

Pazzini scored a hat-trick in Milan’s victory over Bologna and Allegri remains confident the 28-year-old striker will play against Atalanta.

“Pazzini stopped training after 20 minutes yesterday because he had a slight pain in his knee but I’m 99 per cent sure he will be on the pitch,” he said.