Allegri wants to stay at Milan amid future doubts
Massimiliano Allegri has addressed his future at AC Milan after a reported fallout with Rossoneri chief executive Giorgio Furlani, against whom fans are set to protest during Monday's (AEST) clash with Atalanta.
Allegri has guided Milan to third place in Serie A with three games remaining of his first season back in charge, although speculation suggests he could leave at the end of this campaign.
The 58-year-old has also been linked with the vacant Italy post, after Gennaro Gattuso's departure, but he is adamant his future lies with his current employer.
"This is not a matter I've thought about," he said.
"Right now, Milan are the most important thing, for the next games and for next season.
"We've worked with great attention and dedication for 10 months. We must respect everyone who makes themselves available so we can perform at our best. I don't think about anything else, because my goal is to stay at Milan for as long as possible."
Although on course to return to the UEFA Champions League next season, Milan has only won one of its past five games in Serie A, while holding just a three-point cushion over fifth-place Roma.
Nevertheless, Allegri remains in an optimistic mood, while he also paid tribute to the Rossoneri supporters.
"We can only thank them for now," he said. "They've been supporting us since August 17, and the stadium has always been full.
"We've always felt their support, and they'll do it tomorrow as well in a decisive moment of the season. We have a tricky match. We've had a good week of work, and we'll have to face Atalanta as we try to return to winning, which we haven't done at home in a while.
"We must do and not talk. Atalanta are an excellent team, and we'll need an excellent performance to bring the result home.
"I'm not worried; you have to look at things positively. Normally, after a defeat like the one against Sassuolo, one tends to see things more negatively.
"The destiny is in our hands. What’s nice about football is that 90 minutes can change everything. That said, tomorrow we won't be mathematically in or out of the [UEFA] Champions League."
