Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has come under fire from a football agent, who labeled him a “robot” with “zero empathy” amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s contract renewal.
Hughes, formerly of Bournemouth, has faced mounting pressure during his brief tenure at Anfield, following a quiet summer transfer window and unresolved contract situations involving key players Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Salah.
Salah Voices Frustration Over Lack of Progress
After Liverpool’s victory over Southampton on Sunday, Salah publicly expressed his frustration, admitting his disappointment at not being offered a new contract with only seven months left on his current deal.
Agent’s Scathing Remarks
Speaking on the Kieft Jansen Egmond Gijp podcast, agent Rob Jansen—who represents Liverpool assistant coach Johnny Heitinga—criticized Hughes, suggesting his lack of emotional connection might be hindering negotiations.
“One thing Richard Hughes doesn’t have is any sense of empathy. Zero. He’s a robot,” Jansen said (via SoccerNews.nl). “I know this because I negotiated with him for Heitinga. He has zero feelings. This might be the problem, especially with a player like Salah, who is emotional, culturally different, and sensitive to warmth.”
Former PSV Eindhoven winger René van der Gijp, a fellow podcast host, added: “If you are that club, you’d think they’d text Salah three times a day and send him flowers twice a day.”
Hughes Faces Mounting Criticism
While personal attacks like Jansen’s “robot” remark may seem harsh, many Liverpool fans have echoed concerns about Hughes’ performance. His failure to secure new contracts for Salah, Van Dijk, or Alexander-Arnold has left supporters questioning his effectiveness.
Salah, an integral figure for Liverpool, would leave an irreplaceable void if he departs. As football journalist Henry Winter noted, the club lacks a viable alternative to immediately replace the Egyptian star, further emphasizing the urgency of resolving his contract situation.
Hughes has an opportunity to prove his critics wrong. Successfully securing long-term deals for Salah and other key players in the coming weeks could turn the tide of public opinion and reinforce his position at Anfield.
