Filippo Inzaghi's future is safe as coach of AC Milan, even if he does fail to guide them into Europe next season, according to the club's general manager Adriano Galliani.
A second straight year without European football would not be regarded as a tragedy by Milan, with Galliani giving Inzaghi his and president Silvio Berlusconi's full backing.
"Neither of us have ever thought that if we don't qualify for Europe, Inzaghi will not be staying," said Galliani at a news conference to present the club's winter signings Mattia Destro, Suso, Luca Antonelli, Gabriel Paletta and Salvatore Bocchetti.
"He's got a contract for next season and there are no ultimatums. There are still 17 games to go and we've got to look forwards and aim to do well."
Milan travel to Juventus on Saturday night with 21 points separating the two sides after the same number of matches. Milan are 10 points adrift of third-placed Napoli and five behind the top five.
"After 29 years at Milan, I still cannot understand this team," Galliani added. "We started really well continued well up until December. After [beating] Real [Madrid in a friendly], we thought we were growing really well, but I don't understand what happened in January.
"I can't give any answers. After coming back from Dubai, we get one point in three games. I don't understand it, which is why I don't have an explanation for it.
"Last year we were struggling against the big clubs but picking up points against the smaller ones, this year it's the other way around. I'm not going to say anything more [about aiming for third place]. Each time I say something, we've failed. [Milan basketball coach] Dan Peterson keeps telling me, 'Get your head down and pedal,' so I'm not going to say anything more."
Although Inzaghi can go into Saturday night's clash without any pressure, given Galliani's words, his first six months as a coach have already taken their toll on him, says Alessandro Del Piero.
"He looks like he's aged a bit," Del Piero said in La Gazzetta dello Sport. "But that's normal -- it's so complicated being a coach in Italy. You've got to report to so many people while being determined about your own ideas.
"It's not easy, especially not at Milan who demand that you win. The Rossoneri are in a phase of reconstruction, like Inter, but it does cause a stir to see them so far back in the league."
That is one of the reasons why five new faces arrived this winter with Milan looking to salvage something from their season in the next four months.
Destro was the highest profile arrival from Roma and the Italy international said he was "incredulous and emotional" when Galliani came ringing his doorbell in Rome to convince him to join.
"Milan are Milan and I didn't need any convincing," Destro said. "I am so motivated to do well and I think this is the right club for me to show that at. Galliani's gesture was what counted the most to make up my mind. He's a very important person and I'm very proud with the choice I have made."