Vladimir Petkovic is 'still Lazio coach'

Vladimir Petkovic insists he is still Lazio head coach after reports that former boss Edoardo Reja has been taking training.

Petkovic, 50, announced last month that he is taking over as Switzerland boss after this year's World Cup in Brazil, when his Lazio contract ends.

Reja has already hinted that he is taking over from Petkovic, who replaced him during the summer of 2012.

A statement released by Petkovic's lawyer, Paco D'Onofrio, read: "The coach feels that he is proudly still the coach of Lazio.

"[He] asks for a fair and direct meeting with president [Claudio] Lotito in order to clarify the absurd misunderstanding which has arisen, for the sake of the fans, the players and especially of the club."

Sarajevo-born Petkovic, who has spent much of his playing and coaching career in Switzerland, led Lazio to the Italian Cup last season, beating rivals Roma in the final. They finished seventh in the league.

This season they are 10th and have reached the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Petkovic will take the Switzerland job after Ottmar Hitzfeld retires following the World Cup.

After the announcement, former Lazio striker Paolo Di Canio ruled himself out of the job but added: "It's clear that the coach no longer has the power, so maybe it's right to make a change.

"It's not Petkovic's fault, but as a coach it's difficult to move a project forward when you know it's already over."