Mario Balotelli has backed Massimiliano Allegri to do well at Napoli, despite a disappointing return to AC Milan.

Allegri took charge of the Rossoneri for the second time last season, but they missed out on Champions League qualification after finishing fifth in Serie A.

Milan won just one of their final five games of the campaign as they finished a point behind Como, leading to Allegri's exit at San Siro.

He has since been appointed head coach at Napoli, after Antonio Conte resigned from his role after two seasons at the helm, the first of which saw him deliver the league title.

Overall, Allegri has won 322 of his 544 Serie A games (D116, L106), boasting a win percentage of 59.2% and lifting the Scudetto six times.

Balotelli played under Allegri during the Italian's first spell in charge of Milan, and the striker has come to the defence of his former boss.

"Recently I’ve read a lot of criticism of him, but when I had him at Milan I liked him a great deal," Balotelli said.

"If he’s still that man, he’ll do well."

Balotelli joined Milan after leaving Manchester City in 2013, but he has now revealed he was close to joining another Serie A giant in Juventus.

"Yes, after Manchester City. Then I ended up at Milan, so no regrets, it was a choice," he added when asked if he ever had a chance to represent the Bianconeri.

"Of course, that Juventus side was strong."