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Marcello Lippi has defended Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri from criticism amidst rumours that he...

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Marcello Lippi has defended Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri from criticism amidst rumours that he could be axed. Allegri’s long-term future has been brought into question following the club’s recent exit from the Coppa Italia and Champions League. "I don’t understand how in Italy one day you can be the best and the next you can be sacked," the 2006 World Cup winner wrote in his Gazzetta dello Sport column. "For a year and a half Allegri has gained great results and they have not been achieved by chance," the former Juventus tactician underlined. "Allegri has overseen this cycle as a true leader. "Milan didn’t pick him by luck, he’s part of a series of young winners – like Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello, Carlo Ancelotti – who, with great motivation and tactical innovations, have constructed the recent history of this club. "If today Juventus are winning the plaudits, I don’t think that it is right that Max and his players deserve criticism. Especially the Coach." There were suggestions that club owner Silvio Berlusconi is pondering a change of tactician in the summer because he wants to see a different brand of football. Allegri, a former midfielder, joined the San Siro outfit in the summer of 2010 and immediately led the team to the Scudetto. Milan are just one point behind Serie A leaders Juventus with six games to go.