Arne Slot has fired back at Wayne Rooney’s assertion that he lacks the necessary ‘aura’ to manage Liverpool. Slot delivered a stellar debut season, guiding the Reds to the Premier League title. However, this campaign sees Liverpool trailing far behind leaders Arsenal and battling for Champions League qualification.
Rooney Questions Slot’s Presence
Recent struggles have sparked concerns over Slot’s long-term future, with some fans calling for change. Rooney, appearing on The Overlap, compared Slot unfavorably to Jurgen Klopp. “It’s strange isn’t it when you’re talking about Slot being on an audition to keep his job when he has obviously recently won the Premier League,” Rooney stated.
He continued: “I have met him a couple of times, but I just don’t think, for Liverpool, he has that aura – and maybe that’s because Liverpool have just come off the back of Jurgen Klopp as manager – it’s difficult for anyone to do that but I just don’t think there is that aura about him.”
Rooney predicted Slot’s dismissal if Liverpool miss the top five. “I have spoken to managers, and I know they can be difficult at times, but if he doesn’t get them top five in the Premier League, he will be gone, for sure. It’s crazy to say when he has just won the Premier League.”
Slot Defends His Record
Slot addressed the criticism directly. “We are all different. The only thing we have in common, Jürgen and me, is that we both won the league – and that’s not too bad, is it?” he remarked.
The Dutch coach emphasized achievements over perception: “I think the more a manager wins, the more aura he has. I don’t know if you agree with Wayne Rooney, by the way, but if this would be the general opinion then I think people would probably tell you last season I had more aura than this season.”
Slot added: “But maybe he’s the only one who has this opinion; I don’t know, you tell me. It’s the first time that I heard this but I think it’s fair to say that Jürgen definitely has an aura. I can talk about him, not about myself, but he definitely had that. But a winning manager has an aura as well.”
Liverpool’s Title Defense Falters
Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League, 16 points adrift of Arsenal and two points behind Chelsea in the top-five race. Champions League spots hang in the balance.
The Reds seek vital points on Sunday, traveling to face Nottingham Forest. The Tricky Trees, embroiled in a relegation fight, recently dismissed Sean Dyche and appointed Vitor Pereira, who takes charge for his debut match.
