Arne Slot has responded after Wayne Rooney said he 'doesn't have the aura' needed to be Liverpool manager.
The Dutchman had an incredible first season at Liverpool as his side cruised to the Premier League title. They haven't been able to replicate that success in his second season, though, with the Reds way behind league leaders Arsenal and struggling to qualify for the Champions League.
Slot's struggles have led to doubts about his future, with some Liverpool supporters wanting him replaced.
Rooney has now criticised Slot as he raised doubts about his suitability for the job. Comparing the Dutchman with Jurgen Klopp, the former Man Utd star said on the Overlap:
“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.
“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 went on to say that Slot will definitely be sacked should Liverpool fail to finish in the top five of the Premier League and miss out on Champions League football.
He added: "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."
Arne Slot Responds to Rooney's Criticism
Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks worried
Slot has now given his thoughts when asked about Rooney's comments. He said, per the Guardian:
“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? 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.
“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.”
What Next For Slot and Liverpool
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Not only do Liverpool have virtually no hope of retaining their Premier League title, but they are also in serious danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League next season. They are currently fifth in Engand's top tier, a distant 16 points behind league leaders Arsenal. They are two points behind Chelsea in the race for the top five.
The Reds desperately need to pick up wins, and they will be looking to pick up all three points on Sunday afternoon when they travel to the Midlands to take on Nottingham Forest. The Tricky Trees, who are in the middle of a relegation battle, recently sacked Sean Dyche and replaced him with Vitor Periera. It will be the Portuguese manager's first match in charge.