Soccer: Seedorf 'sure' staying at Milan amid strife reports

(ANSA) - Milan, April 18 - Clarence Seedorf said Friday that he would stay on as AC Milan coach for as long as owner Silvio Berlusconi wants, amid reports he could leave at the end of the season due to tension within the club. The former Netherlands midfielder only took over his former side in January, after a poor first half of the campaign under Massimiliano Allegri. At first results were unimpressive under the 38-year-old, who had no prior experience in charge of a senior club and has only recently obtained his coaching badge. Milan's on-field fortunes have improved of late and they are in the running to finish in the last six and qualify for the Europa League next season after winning their last four Serie A games to climb to eighth. But the speculation he may leave in the close season, even though he has a contract that runs until June 2016, has continued due to reports he has a strained relationship with Chief Executive Adriano Galliani and senior players such as Italy internationals Riccardo Montolivo and Christian Abbiati. "I'm still sure I'll stay at Milan next year," Seedorf told a news conference ahead of Saturday's home match against relegation-threatened Livorno. "(I'll be sure) until I receive a call from the president (Berlusconi), saying he's changed his mind".
Seedorf was one of Berlusconi's favourite players during his 10-year stint as a player with Milan from 2002 to 2012, when he helped them win two Serie A titles, two Champions League crowns and a Club World Cup.