Former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti has called for his former club to be patient with under-fire coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Milan are currently 14th in the Serie A table with 10 points, but the Serbian has been given a vote of confidence from club president Silvio Berlusconi despite calls for the manager to leave.

The Italian, who led the club to two Champions League titles in his eight-year stint with the outfit, believes that Milan need to back their manager after a tough start.

Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport: "It requires patience, as there were so many changes and it takes time to settle everything down. The club invested a great deal and expected to start stronger, which is why Mihajlovic is now under pressure.

"I know only one medicine to heal this problem: hard work. Milan have quality from the midfield up, so should find a system that makes the most of their players' characteristics."

Milan will face Sassuolo, who currently sit fifth in the Serie A table, at San Siro tomorrow.