Conceicao dismisses speculation over Milan future
AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao is uninterested in speculation over his job as he prepares to face potential successor Cesc Fabregas's Como in Serie A this weekend.
Milan is ninth in the Italian top flight with 44 points from 28 matches and was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Dutch side Feyenoord in a play-off tie last month.
Its performances have sparked speculation in the Italian media about Conceicao's future at the club, with Como boss Fabregas among the names linked to the job should the Portuguese be sacked.
"I cannot control what others say and think," Conceicao said ahead of the game at San Siro.
"I can control what we do in training, the rest is what it is. I've been a football man for many years, I'm used to everything.
Asked about facing former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas, Conceicao said: "If the motivation to win started from there, I would be sick, I would have to go to hospital.
"Fabregas is a good coach, he is doing well. Our motivation is the three points.
"We have to study their strengths and weaknesses and do our job, focusing on us. If we do what we have worked on then we are closer to winning it.
"It is Milan against Como, not Conceicao against the opposing coach."
Milan has conceded two goals in each of its past four league games.
It has previously conceded more than one goal in five consecutive matches in a single Serie A season just three times in its history – twice in the 1940s and most recently in 1974.
Conceicao, who has rarely had more than a few days between matches since taking charge of the team in December, added that he was delighted with the opportunity to spend the entire week training with the whole Milan squad.
"It was very, very important. It's important for us to work on game situations and also on the physical level, we needed it," he said.
"The boys' response was fantastic in spirit. I like to see the spirit they also have in the match.
"They are cheerful, they are happy. We're working on things we've never worked on all together before.
"We fight every day to evolve as a team... Como is a difficult team to face. I don't think too far ahead. I see joy and pleasure in working."
Conceicao said midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has not featured in a league game since December because of muscle injuries, was available for selection.
"I never had him because of injuries, now he is 100%. He is not yet ready for 90 minutes, but I like him a lot," he said.
"He is a very strong midfielder, he gets into the opponent's area well. Physically he's a monster, I hope to have him available in this game. Last year he scored 10 goals, he is a box-to-box player of great quality."
Como, meanwhile, is 13th on the table and held Venezia to a 1-1 draw in its most recent outing last weekend.
It has won 17 of its 29 points in Serie A this term against teams currently in the top half of the table. Only Napoli (30), Atalanta (22), Inter Milan (20) and Juventus (19) have won more points in that regard this season.
