Edu leaves Nottingham Forest after turbulent spell

Edu, the global head of football for Nottingham Forest, has departed the club following a turbulent tenure of just over a year. The former Arsenal midfielder had not attended any games since February, prompting speculation about his departure, which appears to have been a result of his contract being terminated. Edu's position had been a subject of scrutiny, particularly after a disagreement with Nuno Espirito Santo, the manager who was dismissed last September.

Nuno had previously expressed internal tensions and noted that his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had evolved.

Edu's tenure at Forest was not without its challenges, as he was responsible for overseeing clubs such as Olympiacos and Rio Ave, both of which are also owned by Marinakis. He joined Nottingham Forest in July 2025, bringing with him six years of experience at Arsenal, where he served as the club's first sporting director from 2022.

During his time at Arsenal, Edu played a pivotal role in identifying and signing players like Mikel Arteta, who led the team to their first Premier League title in 22 years in the 2023-24 season.

Edu's departure at Forest follows a series of changes at the club, including the appointment of Theodore Giannikos as the chief executive last week. Giannikos succeeded Lina Souloukou, who had stepped down from the role at the end of the previous season. These developments underscore the ongoing transformation at Nottingham Forest as the club navigates a new chapter under new leadership.