Conceicao not concerned about Milan future
Sergio Conceicao said he was not concerned about his future as AC Milan's manager ahead of its trip to face Serie A title chaser Napoli.
Milan is languishing ninth on the standings, nine points adrift of the UEFA Champions League places heading into the final nine games of its season.
Having guided the Rossoneri to the Supercoppa Italiana in the early stages of his tenure, Conceicao has struggled to replicate that success in the league.
He has won just six of his 12 games in Serie A this season and lost four, with Italian media reports suggesting that Napoli's coach Antonio Conte could replace Conceicao at Milan if he fails to deliver a UEFA Champions League qualification.
"With Antonio, I played against [him] as a player, him at Juventus and me at Lazio. As coaches it's the first time," Conceicao said.
"We know by heart what they do, which players are good. We are prepared on these principles but looking at our team, we will create difficulties for Napoli.
"We are ready, and I like to challenge the best."
The 50-year-old added that he felt he did not need to discuss his future with the Milan hierarchy, having overseen back-to-back wins in Serie A.
"I depend on results and that's all. The next game is the most important thing," Conceicao said.
"I'm here, I have a contract with AC Milan and I don't need anyone to tell me anything more."
Conceicao also believes that Milan has the quality to finish in the top four this season and win the Coppa Italia, where it faces rival Inter Milan next in the semi-finals.
"The environment is good and healthy," he said.
Milan is unbeaten in each of its past six away matches against Napoli in all competitions, winning three and drawing three, and it has never gone seven successive games on the road without defeat against it in its history.
But in light of those Conte rumours, Conceicao played down comparisons between himself and the Napoli boss, who is looking to win his fifth Serie A title this season.
"I don't need reassurance, I'm here to do the best job possible.
"The comparison with Antonio is for this, the passion," he said.
"Beyond the passion for football, we are passionate about life, football, family, friends. I see that Antonio is a bit like that too.
"The most important thing is Napoli-Milan. I don't feel like the Portuguese Conte."
