Arne Slot hits back at Wayne Rooney as Liverpool manager makes feelings clear on criticism
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.
Slot said: “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 success breeds presence.
He said: “I think the more a manager wins, the more aura he has – that’s in general.”
Slot questioned whether Rooney’s view was widely shared, noting it was the first time he had encountered such criticism.
The former Manchester United and England striker made his comments on The Overlap earlier this week, drawing unfavourable comparisons between Slot and Klopp.
Rooney said: “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, but I just don’t think there is that aura about him.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has responded to Wayne Rooney’s assertion that he lacks the necessary ‘aura’ for the Anfield role
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Rooney, who has been without a managerial position since leaving Plymouth Argyle in December 2024, also suggested Slot could face the sack if Liverpool fails to secure Champions League football this season.
The reigning champions currently occupy sixth position in the table as they prepare to travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Despite a challenging title defence, Liverpool’s recent results offer encouragement, with the club suffering only two defeats in their previous 14 league matches.
This improved consistency has brought them back into contention for a top-five finish, which would likely be sufficient to secure Champions League qualification.
Wayne Rooney made his comments on The Overlap earlier this week
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Manchester United and Chelsea currently sit above Liverpool in fourth and fifth place, respectively, intensifying the battle for European football.
Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat to Forest at Anfield in November, one of several painful results during a difficult campaign.
Slot acknowledged that the demands of modern management have intensified significantly, making extended tenures increasingly difficult to achieve.
He explained: “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.”
Arne Slot has come under pressure at Liverpool | GETTYSlot added: “So that makes it more difficult and I think the job, in my opinion, has become harder because of all the media attention.”
The Liverpool boss praised the longevity achieved by Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, suggesting their decade-long spells represent remarkable accomplishments.
Slot added: “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.”
