Allegri: My future is not in question

The 45-year-old has dismissed the possibility of leaving the club this summer and feels Sunday’s clash with Fiorentina is decisive in their bid for European football

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes his future at the club is “not in question” and says he is completely focused on qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The Rossoneri endured a disastrous first half to the campaign, leading to suggestions he could exit San Siro, only to mastermind a reversal in fortunes since the turn of the year.

That change of form has seen the club march up the table and into third spot, leaving them firmly in the hunt for qualification to Europe’s elite competition and Allegri ever-confident about the security of his job.

“At the moment if I was to say that I have the time to read all the things being written I’d be lying,” he told reporters.

“I’m focused on third place. The season started in a certain way and now we are where we are and we’re playing for Champions League qualification.

“I don’t think my future is in question. You can’t reduce a coach’s role to the last five games. As always in any case, regardless of what I want to do, the choice will be made by the club and more specifically, the president.

“The work done here in the last three years has been good and I think a third place finish would be a good achievement.

“I have a contract with the club and at the moment I’m not keen on discussing what the future may bring as it may affect the team’s objectives.”

Allegri also recognised the significance of Sunday’s clash with Catania, claiming that it will be vital in determining who finishes third in Serie A.

“It’s fundamental for third place and the support from the fans will be important. Tomorrow’s game will have a big effect on who finishes third,” he added.

“As far as the fixture list goes, I think tomorrow’s game is the key to the last five matches. We’re at the end of the season and games at this stage are different. We’ll have to play well and make as few mistakes as possible. Tomorrow we have to win.”

And the Italian concluded by revealing he has a selection dilemma ahead of the crunch encounter.

“[Kevin-Prince] Boateng up front is a possibility but we’ll see between today and tomorrow. Everyone is fine except [Christian] Abbiati and [Massimo] Ambrosini and I hope that we won’t be forced into making any changes.

“I don’t know who’ll play between [Mattia] De Sciglio and [Kevin] Constant or if [Antonio] Nocerino will start in the middle.”