Nottingham Forest have appointed former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar as their new ‘Global Head of Football.’ Edu announced his sudden departure from the Emirates in November 2024, bringing an end to a five-year stint in the hierarchy of the club where he once excelled as a player.
He claimed leaving Arsenal was “an incredibly hard decision” and received warm tributes from co-chair Josh Kroenke and manager Mikel Arteta. Speculation quickly followed that the Brazilian would take on a broader role within Evangelos Marinakis’s network of clubs.
Confirming the appointment of the former Arsenal star, Marinakis told Nottingham Forest’s official website: “We are extremely happy to welcome Edu to our football family. His global experience, values and winning mindset align perfectly with our objective to strengthen and expand our international football platform.”
Speaking for the first time following his appointment, Edu said: “I’m truly excited about this new chapter and honoured by the trust placed in me.
“This project connects deeply with my values around innovation and long-term planning. I look forward to building a global football model that is competitive, sustainable, and aligned with our president’s ambition.”
Edu will take charge of all football operations, including recruitment, performance, squad planning, and player development, with his responsibilities also expected to cover Forest’s sister clubs, Olympiacos and Rio Ave.
Arsenal turned to Andrea Berta as Edu’s replacement and the former Atletico Madrid chief has already overseen the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martín Zubimendi, although the framework for Zubimendi’s deal was reportedly already put in place during Edu’s tenure as the Gunner’s sporting director.
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