Galliani drops Ancelotti exit hint

(GETTY IMAGES)

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has hinted that Carlo Ancelotti could be leaving the San Siro at the end of this season if he fails to guide the club back into the Champions League.

Milan, who are playing in this season's Uefa Cup following last term's disappointing domestic form, are currently 11 points behind leaders and city rivals Internazionale with just 13 games of the season left.

Recent reports have suggested that Ancelotti will be replaced by Leonardo in the summer but, when asked about the matter, Galliani said: "Ancelotti? I think that as a club, we have done well not to change coach in the last few years.

"Our affection and admiration for Ancelotti remains the same. I really like Leonardo but he has never thought about becoming Milan coach for next season.

"One day he will become a coach and it may be at Milan in the future when the club decides to replace Ancelotti.

"However, we have to reach our objectives that we have set ourselves this season.

"It will be hard if we fail to reach the Champions League for the second year in a row."

Napoli coach Edy Reja insists he is unconcerned about rumours suggesting he is about to be sacked.

Reja's side have failed to win any of their last seven games and, after the home defeat to Genoa which led to some fans calling for his head, Napoli sipped to tenth in the Serie A table.

However Reja said: "I have always felt Napoli at my side.

"Whenever Aurelio De Laurentiis, Pier Paolo Marino and I have spoken, I have always been the most critical and they have tried to calm me."

Reja guided Napoli to two promotions following his appointment in 2004 before re-establishing the club in Italy's top-flight.