Cassano, speaking on the Viva El Football podcast, was asked about the future of Allegri and about his close friendship with Milan adviser Zlatan Ibrahimović, whose own position at the club is the subject of ongoing speculation. He made clear the two subjects are entirely separate in his mind.
"Ibrahimovic is very fond of me and he was close to me when I was not well. He is a loyal person. The special relationship between him and me remains. We do not need to talk about anything else. With Ibrahimovic we talk about family and holidays. I do not need to call him to talk about Allegri."
He then turned his attention to the coach, making no attempt to soften his assessment.
"After all the disasters he has caused, without giving the team an identity — are the fans fools? Milan cannot be represented by a mediocre coach."
Cassano suggested Allegri is already preparing for his exit and that the timing of various reports is not coincidental.
"Allegri has already moved his pieces, so certain things come out because he knows they are going to kick him out regardless of Champions League qualification. Allegri will go home, just like sporting director Igli Tare, who chose him."
Allegri's contract with Milan runs until next summer. Milan secured third place in Serie A with one round remaining, though a collapse in form — four wins from the last 12 league matches — has put the entire leadership structure under review heading into the off-season.