If Mikel Arteta has fueled Arsenal’s restless revolution, then Edu Gaspar has provided the fuel.
Edu’s famous snap, with a pair of tongs in his hand, standing next to a grill with an oversized cigar in his lips, symbolizes the couple’s impact on the Emirates.
Arsenal is cooking with Arteta and Edu.
So, with this in mind, news of the Brazilian sporting director’s departure from Emirates, revealed exclusively by Mail Sport on Monday morning, will come like a hammer blow.
It will generate uncertainty. Edu’s influence in reviving a club that was, in truth, in trouble long before Arsene Wenger’s departure in 2018 is clear and well documented.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Monday that sporting director Edu will leave Arsenal
The news of the departure of the influential Brazilian will be a blow for the Gunners
A team rich in expensive, underperforming players has been renewed with hungry players who have brought the club out of its malaise.
Mesut Özil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have left. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are leading Arsenal into a new era.
Edu’s arrival in 2019, originally as manager, fueled memories of Arsenal’s glorious past.
After all, the former midfielder was part of Arsenal’s Invincibles squad, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups with the Gunners.
But his achievements as an administrator at Arsenal are worth as much their weight in gold as his achievements on the field.
So why now? Why leave when Arsenal is one of the most interesting projects in European football?
Sources close to the situation claim that, to some extent, there has been a dilution of Edu’s power behind the scenes.
Tim Lewis, lawyer for owner Stan Kroenke’s family, is said to have seen his influence grow since his appointment as a non-executive director of Arsenal’s board in 2020.
The eyes and ears of the Kroenkes, the influence of Lewis should not be underestimated.
Richard Garlick, who originally joined the club as director of football operations in 2021, took on more control when he was promoted to the role of chief executive earlier this year.
The departure of Vinai Venkatesham, who worked closely with Edu, from the CEO position would have been a blow to Edu.
Given his impact on revolutionizing the club’s football operation, there was a feeling that Edu could have been tailor-made as Venkatesham’s successor, although it was a position ultimately adopted by Garlick, whose reputation within English football is strong.
Edu has become one of the most prominent sports directors in European football. If he craved greater influence, then that’s understandable.
At the beginning of the summer, according to sources, the feeling arose that Edu’s feet were itchy.
That perhaps he had become stuck at Arsenal and that the role did not necessarily provide the South American with the level of challenge he wanted.
It is said that the appeal of football’s growing move towards multi-club models may also be a factor in this regard.
Football is often driven by ego. For the best of the best: why control just one club when you can have authority over more?
Our information earlier this year was that Edu recognized the appeal of an influential position within a multi-club umbrella.
For example, former Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake left his role earlier this year to take up a role with the club’s owners Black Knight, who also have stakes in Auckland FC and Hibernian.
It is intriguing then that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is an admirer of Edu and is willing to give the Brazilian the keys to his multi-club operation that also includes Olympiakos and Rio Ave.
The Greek businessman is also understood to be looking to add another European team to his group of clubs.
Forest’s interest in Edu dates back to the summer and talks have been taking place quietly.
The prospect of the 46-year-old swapping the Emirates for the City Ground does not necessarily seem like an upward step for Edu, although Forest fans would suggest otherwise following his excellent start to the season.
One would imagine that Marinakis would also be willing to make the leap that would be worth it financially for Edu.
Edu and Marinakis have a personal relationship, the pair were seen dining at the same table at the Gerando Falcoes charity event in London earlier this year.
But these positions are attractive; just ask Jurgen Klopp, who was named global director of football at the Red Bull group last month.
Arsenal have faced the loss of Edu before. In 2022, Edu became the target of Paris Saint-Germain, who at the time were looking for a sporting director.
Edu received a promotion in November, news that saw his position rise from technical director to sporting director.
The news was significant at the time, as Edu became the first owner of that position at Arsenal.
He deserved his promotion. He deserved his power base. But just two years later and here we are.
News of the manager’s departure surprised many at the club on Monday morning.
Very popular with staff and certainly with players, Edu’s departure will be a blow.
“The players always enjoy his company,” said an Arsenal source.
A popular and courteous player within the Premier League sporting director community, Edu’s most enviable trait is his warmth.
“He always calls you ‘my friend’ when you talk to him on the phone,” said one senior athletic director.
‘That’s very useful. A really nice guy.’
However, that being said, everyone will now try to join Edu’s old job.
