Edu leaves Arsenal: Sporting Director resigns ahead of reported role with Nottingham Forest owner

The former Arsenal midfielder has played a key role in building a team in the Arteta regime.

Following a less-than-glorious start to the season, Arsenal have lost the services of sporting director Edu, who has surprisingly left the North London side to become the CEO of a footballing group that runs Premier League side Nottingham Forest, Greek team Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave.

The departure of the former Gunners midfielder is certainly something of a surprise and, according to many sources, came after the Brazilian was offered a huge pay rise, one that the Gunners were unwilling or unable to match.

Edu played for Arsenal for four years between 2001 and 2005, including making 30 appearances during the team’s Invincibles Premier League campaign in 2003/04 before returning in 2019 to become technical director at the Emirates Stadium and then being promoted to sporting director in 2022.

Though Arsenal have faltered of late, they are still in with a shot of mounting a Premier League title push and fans who want to bet on Mikel Arteta’s side successfully doing so may want to make the most of these very enticing sportsbook promos today, all of which will help you make an almost risk-free wager.

Edu has played a key role in aiding Arteta’s side in developing and growing into genuine title challengers, finishing the last two seasons in second place. He has helped bring in world-class players like Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, and he will be sorely missed by Arsenal.

Many will be confused as to the move and why Edu would elect to take a downward step effectively, but there are reports that his salary will now be trebled, and he may well be excited by the prospect of being an SEO of an entire project and could also feel that Arsenal have gone as far as they can for now.

Arsenal did make an offer to keep Edu, but it was rejected, and he has spoken with high regard to his now former employers, stating,

‘This was an incredibly hard decision to make. Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history.”

‘It has been a special journey, and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.” Edu added.

When Arsenal played Newcastle last weekend, ten of the XI were brought in by Edu, with the only exception being winger Bukayo Saka, who came through the club’s youth ranks. There have been a few recent changes at Arsenal. Richard Garlick came in to become managing director, with CEO Vinai Venkastesham leaving at the end of last season.

James King has come in as director of football, and now that Edu has departed, a few other changes may be enforced on the club. 

Edu was a much-loved figure at the club, and supporters will have been shocked by his sudden departure. Many speculated that an imminent leak forced the move to announce the news, leading to his immediate exit.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.