AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has insisted that manager Massimiliano Allegri deserves to keep his job at the San Siro next season.

Allegri's future has come under increasing speculation in recent weeks, with Roma consistently linked with a summer swoop for the Milan coach.

Balotelli helped keep Milan in third place with a late winner against Torino this afternoon and is adamant that Allegri is the right man to take the club forward.

He told Mediaset Premium: "It is an important goal, but it will only be truly important if we manage to keep this gap over the next few rounds.

"When I got here, Allegri was in charge and we get on really well. I hope he stays, as I'm really happy with him. If I were the club, I'd do everything to keep hold of him.

"I am just one of the players here and we all contribute. I was unable to get into gear today and it was a bad performance, but eventually we managed to get the points."

The Rossoneri are now four points clear of Fiorentina in the race for Champions League qualification.