Liverpool manager Arne Slot addresses aura criticism from Wayne Rooney
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has responded to Wayne Rooney’s assertion that he lacks the necessary “aura” for the Anfield role, highlighting a key similarity between himself and his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, reports BritPanorama.
In a statement, Slot remarked, “The only thing we have in common, Jurgen and me, is that we both won the league – and that’s not too bad, is it?” The Dutchman suggested that with success comes increased presence, stating, “I think the more a manager wins, the more aura he has – that’s in general.”
Slot questioned whether Rooney’s views were widespread, noting it was the first time he had encountered such criticism. Rooney, speaking on The Overlap, articulated his concerns by stating, “I just don’t think, for Liverpool, he has that aura. Maybe that’s because Liverpool have just come off the back of Jurgen as manager. It’s difficult for anyone to do that.”
Further to Rooney’s comments, the former Manchester United and England striker suggested that Slot could face dismissal if Liverpool fails to secure Champions League football this season. Currently, the reigning champions occupy sixth position in the league table as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Despite a challenging title defence, Liverpool has shown signs of improvement, with only two defeats in their last 14 league matches, positioning them within reach of a top-five finish necessary for Champions League qualification.
With Manchester United and Chelsea above Liverpool in the standings, the competition for European places remains intense. Liverpool recently endured a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, highlighting the struggles of the current season. Slot acknowledged the intensified demands of modern management, remarking, “The moment you start to lose one or two games now, then there’s much more being spoken about it and much more emphasis on it.”
He praised Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola for their long tenures, referring to their accomplishments as remarkable, particularly in an era characterized by heightened scrutiny and pressure. Slot concluded, “To do this job for eight, nine, 10 years – Jurgen did so well, Pep did so well, but the biggest accomplishment is maybe to do this job for 10 years, because it’s hard work, I can tell you.”
As Slot navigates his first season in charge, the contrasting styles of management and expectations left by his predecessor loom large; a reminder of how easily the spectre of one manager can complicate the journey of another.
