Igli Tare dismisses Vladimir Petkovic speculation

Lazio director Igli Tare has played down talk of Vladimir Petkovic's future following last night's 2-0 win over Legia Warsaw.

A poor start to the season has left the Biancocelesti in eighth place, with just one win from their last five league games.

That has brought pressure upon the 50-year-old, although Tare believes that speculation is "normal" with his contract due to expire at the end of the campaign.

"These rumours are emerging just because his contract is up and it's normal in these cases for there to be speculation," Football Italia quotes the former Albanian international as saying.

"We don't go forward with ifs and buts. We have a contract with our coach and I don't want to get drawn into speculation.

"We are in a delicate moment of the season. We have always been very clear on what we want and you only emerge from negative situations with clear ideas. During his tenure, President Claudio Lotito has only ever fired Davide Ballardini. We have consistently reassured our coach."

Petkovic, who took charge at the Stadio Olimpico last year, has been linked with succeeding Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld following next year's World Cup.