Arne Slot has responded to Wayne Rooney’s comment that he lacks “aura” as a Liverpool manager in comparison to Jurgen Klopp.
Despite winning the Premier League last season, Liverpool’s disappointing form this time around has led to an ongoing debate over his position as head coach.
Rooney became the latest figure to have his say when he noted on the Overlap that “it’s strange” to be talking about Slot’s job, but the ex-Everton and Man United striker admitted that he doesn’t think he has “that aura” for Liverpool.
Slot was asked about the comments and responded by telling media, including the Liverpool Echo: “We are all different.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot on the bench before the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“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? I think the more a manager wins, the more aura he has. That’s in general something.
“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 Jurgen definitely has aura, yeah. I can talk about him, not about myself, but he definitely had that, but a winning manager has an aura as well.”
While there may be a kernel of truth in Rooney’s opinion, Slot makes the valid point that it is winning that breeds this “aura” he desires.
In fact, last season we were praising Slot for how he was forging his own path and not trying to become Klopp II.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While the Dutchman’s predecessor had a definite innate ability to rouse players and command attention with his mere presence, that reputation was built over time.
Look back to when Bob Paisley took over from Bill Shankly. Liverpool’s most successful manager ever was a ‘quiet genius’ who quietly took the reins from the club’s most-talismanic figure ever.
“I think it’s harder now because there’s so much being said about football, so much more than 10 years ago,” added Slot.
“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. So that makes it more difficult. I think the job has become harder because of all the media attention.
“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. Many people work hard, but it’s also mentally hard.
“Is the power more with the players now than it’s ever been before? I would argue that is true. I don’t think that has changed in football.
“The question is always do owners or the people who decide listen to players if, if, if they are not positive about you. And that’s different in every club.”
You could argue that Klopp’s impression greatly helped Liverpool in the transfer market. However, Slot proved that he can draw players to the club last summer when he convinced Florian Wirtz to join Liverpool instead of Bayern Munich and Man City.
No one is suggesting that Slot can match Klopp for his influence on the culture of the club. To be successful, though, he may not need to.
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