AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi has laughed off suggestions he is to be replaced by Empoli boss Maurizio Sarri.
Inzaghi's future appears to be in doubt with his first season on the Milan bench proving to be no more successful than the club's last, when they failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 16 years.
The 41-year-old leads his side out at fifth-placed Fiorentina on Monday knowing that defeat would leave 10 points between the two sides in Serie A with 11 games of the season remaining, and Milan's hopes of returning to Europe next term hanging by a thread.
Over the weekend, reports surfaced about an approach being made to Sarri, who has earned plenty of plaudits this season for the football his Empoli side are playing. The Tuscan outfit have drawn twice with Milan and Sarri's work has reportedly impressed club president Silvio Berlusconi.
Inzaghi was having none of it, though, telling the media at a news conference on Sunday that he remains optimistic about his and Milan's future.
"It just makes me laugh," he said. "I'm just sorry for the fans who have to read things which aren't true. It doesn't interest me -- I'm just focused on doing well week in, week out.
"I'm not concerned because I feel the affection of president Berlusconi and the club every day. I don't think it's a bluff with me. But this isn't nice and it's disrespectful, but I'm pretty used to this kind of thing now."
La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed on Monday that Milan general manager Adriano Galliani is set to meet with Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi to gauge how willing he would be to release Sarri.
Galliani, however, has denied to Milan Channel that he is set for discussions with Corsi, while giving his backing to Inzaghi.
"There's no meeting," he is quoted as saying by Football Italia. "Forza Pippo!"
Sarri, for his part, says he is honoured by speculation linking him with Milan, although he insists he has a job to do at Empoli.
"Of course the rumours about Milan's interest delights me, but the second I close the newspaper, I have to think about keeping Empoli up," he told reporters after his side's 1-1 draw at Cagliari on Saturday.
"There are lots of voices doing the rounds at this stage of a season and we've got to try to remain focused and take part in as few programmes and interviews as we can. I've told our press officer that I've had no contact with Milan, also because I have two years on my contract with Empoli.
"If somebody would like to talk to me, they would have to go through the club. Anyway, I've already had my big opportunity with this club, who gave me the chance to coach in Serie A."