Pundit warns the Dutchman to expect the sack if he doesn’t secure Champions League football
Despite winning the Premier League in his debut season, Arne Slot does not have the aura to be Liverpool manager, according to Wayne Rooney.
Liverpool have had a difficult season following their Dutch manager’s incredible debut campaign, when they raced clear of the pack and snapped up their 20th Premier League title and only their second in the 21st century.
The champions lost nine games out of 12 last autumn and while they now appear to have turned their form around, they remain sixth in the league, two points behind Chelsea in fifth and three behind Manchester United in fourth.
It leaves them in danger of missing out on Champions League football next season.
“It’s strange to be talking about him trying to keep his job when he won the Premier League last season,” Rooney said in Skybet’s the Overlap Fan Debate. “I’ve seen him a couple of times, but I don’t think he has the aura to be Liverpool’s manager.
“Perhaps it’s difficult because they’re coming off a great spell with Jurgen Klopp, and that’s tough for anyone.”
Rooney also made a claim that Slot might not be Liverpool’s coach next season.
“If he doesn’t finish in the top five, he’ll be sacked, I’m sure of it,” said the Manchester United legend. “It’s absurd to say that when he just won the league.”
It’s not dissimilar to the verdict former Liverpool player turned pundit Jamie Carragher gave on the Dutchman’s future. Last month, he warned that Slot could not expect to stay in a job if he doesn’t at least deliver the Champions League.
“Once you start fearing Champions League qualification for next season that’s when you have a completely different proposition when you are talking about the manager’s job,” Carragher said
“Not making the Champions League as champions, spending £450m and having the highest wage bill in the Premier League – which is the biggest determining factor normally about where you finish in the league – I think you have serious questions to ask.”
