Massimiliano Allegri has said that he will leave AC Milan at the end of the season and insists the club are in a relegation dogfight.
The Rossoneri are currently 13th in Serie A, with only 19 points and four wins from their first 17 games, and it has been rumoured that Clarence Seedorf could replace Allegri sooner rather than later.
“I was very clear and it was a decision I made last summer. I will not be the Milan coach next season,” Allegri said.
“You can’t stay at a club for life. I had four years here and think I did well, so I thank everyone.
“The club will choose a suitable replacement for me. Seedorf is a very intelligent player who can have the qualities of a coach, but they are two very different jobs… I am convinced the club will make the right decision.
“We’re doing well in the January transfer market. This team has a good future and with one or two more players can challenge for the top spots next season.”
Milan host Atalanta on Monday afternoon, sitting just one point above their opponents, and Allegri insists that this is a vital game for his team.
“Atalanta are very organised and doing well this season. It’s an important game and we mustn’t forget we have only 19 points. We need to look over our shoulders, as this is a relegation dogfight. We cannot afford another slip-up,” he said.
“Tomorrow we must do everything possible to win, as the next few months have got to be different from the last few. We must have the humility to acknowledge we’re closer to the relegation zone than the European places.”
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