Arsenal sporting director Edu is set to leave his position at the Premier League title challengers.
The Brazilian has been one of the key figures behind the Gunners’ resurgence under Mikel Arteta. He joined the club as technical director in July 2019, six months before Arteta’s appointment as manager.
Together, the duo have turned Arsenal into title contenders, twice finishing as runners-up to Manchester City. His work earned him a promotion to the role of sporting director in November 2022, which he has fulfilled ever since.
Edu is widely regarded as one of the top sporting directors in the game and has been responsible for securing key signings such as Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. He has also successfully negotiated the offloading of unwanted stars such as Pierre Emerick Aubamayang and Aaron Ramsdale.
But according to the Daily Mail, Edu has now decided to leave his post following talks with other members of the club’s hierarchy. It is the Brazilian’s decision to go, with a reshuffle expected within the club’s executive team.
It is claimed that Edu’s departure is not due to a power struggle at the Emirates Stadium. More details are expected to emerge over the next 24 hours, though it is currently unknown exactly when Edu will depart.
He has been a key ally of Arteta ever since the Spaniard’s appointment in December 2019. The Gunners boss will address the media ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan, where he will likely be asked about Edu’s exit.
According to Sky Sports News, Edu has been under consideration for a role with Evangelos Marinakis’s group of clubs, including Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos. It is not yet known if that is the reason for his exit, with Arsenal chiefs said to have been taken by surprise over his decision.
A former midfielder, Edu spent four years playing for Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. He started his executive career as director at football with Corinthians before working as the general coordinator of the Brazil national team ahead of his move to Arsenal.
Arsenal have endured a tougher season than expected, with Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle leaving them fifth in the Premier League, seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool. That follows a summer transfer window in which the Gunners spent more than £100million.
Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, David Raya, Raheem Sterling and Neto all arrived at the Emirates Stadium. After Edu was promoted to sporting director, Arteta made it clear he wanted the Brazilian to stay for a long period.
“I just hope he stays here for a long time because I think it’s going to be a really positive thing for the club. I work with him really well, I think he’s a super important figure at the club who represents all the values and ideas that we want, to do everything in the right way, and hopefully that will be the case,” he said in 2022.
“There is a lot happening in a football club and he has a huge role and he has a really good way of communicating with people and managing a lot of things that happen daily. For me and for the team he is really important.
“The roles have to be very clear; you have to share the same ideas but at the same time you have to be challenged by each other because sometimes coaches we have all the ideas and we want something right now that is not the best thing for the club.
“We have the right balance, not only with Edu but with Vinai (Venkatesham, CEO) and with Rich (Garlick, director of football operations) and with the ownership. It’s really important. We make a decision, it’s all together it’s not your decision or my idea. It’s important in good and difficult momentents as well to be together.”
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