News Focus
- Antonio Cassano defends Zlatan Ibrahimovic against claims they discussed Massimiliano Allegri
- Former Milan striker predicts Allegri will lose his job even if AC Milan qualify for the Champions League
- Cassano accuses Allegri of starting a “smear machine” because the coach knows he faces the sack
- Both Cassano and Ibrahimovic won the Serie A title with Milan under Allegri in 2011
- Ibrahimovic missed Milan’s win over Genoa, fuelling speculation about the Swede’s future at the club
Former AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano has strongly defended his close friend Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The ex-Italy international insists he never discusses Massimiliano Allegri with the Swedish legend. However, Cassano believes the Rossoneri boss will lose his position at the end of the season.
Corriere della Sera reported last week that Allegri had a heated argument with Ibrahimovic. The club’s Senior Advisor was apparently angry about Cassano’s private conversations with Ibrahimovic regarding the manager. Cassano is one of Allegri’s harshest critics in the media.
“Allegri has already moved his people,” Cassano stated. “Certain stories appear because he knows they will kick him out. This will happen even if Milan reach the Champions League. He will go home.”
Cassano also mentioned Igli Tare, the former Lazio director who is tipped to join Milan. “Tare has chosen him, but after all the disasters, without giving the team an identity, are the fans stupid?” Cassano asked. He added that Milan cannot be represented by a “mediocre coach.”
The former striker claims Allegri deliberately started a “smear machine” against Ibrahimovic. “We talk about family and holidays. I do not need to phone him to discuss Allegri. Our special relationship remains,” Cassano explained.
Both players won the Scudetto together at Milan under Allegri during the 2010-11 campaign. However, relations have now broken down. Ibrahimovic was absent from the stands on Sunday when Milan beat Genoa 2-1 at the Marassi. Italian media suggest that if Ibrahimovic remains at the club beyond the summer, Allegri will definitely leave.