A Scudetto winner in his first season in charge, followed by a runners-up medal to unbeaten champions. An Italian Super Cup safely tucked into the trophy cabinet. A last-16 Champions League appearance at his first attempt, improved on with a quarter-final defeat to Barcelona last season. Back-to-back Coppa Italia semi-finals. It may not be the most successful of honours lists for a Milan manager, but can Massimiliano Allegri be satisfied with his work at the club thus far?

Endless rumours of unrest with the hierarchy are matched with reports of problematic relationships with players. Allegri has shouldered a share of the blame for the departure of senior players, whilst being criticised for the injury issues that have blighted the Rossoneri. As the club negotiate a transitional period, is it fair that the former Cagliari coach receives the brunt of the criticism and unnecessary pressure?

"We needed a generational change. It might not be nice, but that is how life goes. Carlo Ancelotti was fortunate to boss people like Gennaro Gattuso, Pippo Inzaghi, Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf at the peak of their careers. I too would have liked them in my squad when they were seven years younger..." - Allegri told La Stampa.

La Gazzetta dello Sport recently released a report on the wage bills of Serie A clubs, and despite the departure of several key high-earners, Milan top the list. The Rossoneri spend €120m on wages, albeit a significant drop from last year, with Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Philippe Mexes the highest earners at €4m apiece. Yes, Philippe Mexes. With the FFP regulations coming into force, Allegri has seen the overall quality within the squad over the two years he has been at the helm diminish significantly. Constantly forced to disregard and deny rumours of bust-ups and fall-outs, does he deserve more praise for achieving what he has?

Without painting him as a faultless God-like tactician, there tends to be more negativity surrounding Allegri than there is positivity. There have been numerous games where many are left staring blankly at a screen or engaging in a heated debate over starting line-ups and substitutions (or lack-of). He has a style of football that he prefers, and perhaps he was wrong in certain situations when dealing with certain players, something he has held his hands up to.

"I worked for two years with players who have won every kind of trophy. You can't get on with everyone, but when it comes to picking the team you choose the best XI to win."

"You win with the best players - I have never seen a coach score a goal from the sidelines. There has always been respect."

Allegri will now embark on an even tougher assignment this season, with a fresh looking squad that has bounced back from an opening day home defeat to secure their first three points of the season. It promises to be an inconsistent campaign, one that will see Allegri receive praise and face inevitable criticism in unequal measure, and the question may be asked whether he is the right man to take Milan forward.

What do you make of Allegri's Milan tenure so far? Are you confident he can take the club forward? Leave your comments below.

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