Milan ultimatum for Ancelotti Boss could face axe if top-three finish is not achieved

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has stated that Carlo Ancelotti will remain as manager if the club finish at least third in Serie A.

The announcement follows Milan's shock Uefa Cup exit against Werder Bremen and last weekend's league defeat at Sampdoria.

Milan finished fifth in Italy's top flight last season, and Galliani has intimated that a repeat performance could see Ancelotti leave the club.

"Carlo Ancelotti will stay if we finish third," Galliani is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

Experienced coach Ancelotti has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, with reports claiming the Blues could look to secure his services when interim boss Guus Hiddink leaves his role.

Calm

Ancelotti, himself, is remaining calm about his future with the Rossoneri.

"As for my future, it's clear that should Milan fail to get third place something could change, also for me. But I'm convinced we will be third so there won't be problems", he said.

"It's true in this moment we have difficulties, and that we are not at 100 per cent, but this won't forbid us to play a good match here and to enjoy the local audience", he admitted ahead of a friendly in Doha.

Meanwhile, Milan defender Kakha Kaladze will be out for rest of the season, after the 32-year-old underwent knee surgery on Tuesday.

The Georgia international, who had been suffering with a persistent problem with his right knee, went under the knife in Antwerp and is expected to need at least five months to recover.