Arne Slot has hit back at criticism from former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who questioned whether the Liverpool head coach possesses the necessary “aura” to lead one of England’s biggest football clubs. The comments from Rooney, delivered on the The Overlap fan debate show amid intense debate over Liverpool’s season, struck a nerve with Slot, who responded by highlighting his recent achievements and defending his record at Anfield.
Rooney said he had met Slot a few times but did not believe the Dutchman had the presence or intangible leadership qualities expected of a Liverpool manager, especially in the wake of the charismatic legacy left by Jürgen Klopp. Rooney acknowledged that Klopp’s influence was difficult to follow and maybe that’s because Liverpool have just come off the back of Jurgen Klopp as manager but maintained that the aura he felt was missing during Slot’s current tenure. Rooney further suggested that if Liverpool fail to finish in the top five of the Premier League this season, Slot could find himself out of a job despite his title success. “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 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, whose Liverpool side currently sit sixth in the table and outside the Champions League qualification spots, did not shy away from the provocation. Responding to Rooney’s remarks, he emphasised that winning the Premier League should speak for itself. “We are all different,” Slot said. “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.” He added with a touch of wry humour that if Rooney’s view were widely held, then perhaps his own aura would now be seen as greater last season when he won the title than it is this campaign. “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.”
Slot’s response came as Liverpool prepare to face Nottingham Forest, now managed by Vítor Pereira, at the City Ground, where the Reds are seeking to regain momentum after inconsistent results this season. Forest’s current campaign has already seen several managerial changes, making Slot’s own situation a stark reminder of the precarious nature of top flight management. Liverpool’s reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a 3 0 defeat to Forest under then manager Sean Dyche, illustrating some of the challenges Slot’s side have faced in maintaining the standards expected from a reigning champion.
Beyond defending his personal credentials, Slot also offered broader reflections on the modern dynamics of football leadership and success. He stressed that contrasts between managerial personalities, styles, and achievements are common in the game but that the only real measure for someone in his position is results and accomplishments. “It doesn’t matter who’s the most important person or not at the club,” Slot said. “I think it’s always the owners, isn’t it? They have to hire the sporting director, they have to hire the head coach. If they make the right decisions then it’s a better chance to be successful.”
Slot’s remarks underline his belief that success on the pitch eventually translates into respect and authority off it, a principle he believes applies to all managers, including himself. His retort to Rooney’s jibe was measured, rooted in objective achievement rather than personal attack, and served to remind critics and supporters alike that his credentials include winning the Premier League, a feat Liverpool had long sought before his arrival.
With the season entering a critical phase, Liverpool’s campaign is at a crossroads. While their league position has invited debate among pundits and fans, Slot’s message was clear prior success should not be dismissed, and leadership qualities are often as much about results as they are about perception.