Arsenal sporting director Edu is poised to leave his position at the Premier League title contenders.
The Brazilian has played a pivotal role in the Gunners’ resurgence under manager Mikel Arteta.
He joined the club as technical director in July 2019, just six months before Arteta’s appointment.
Together, they have transformed Arsenal into title challengers, finishing as runners-up to Manchester City twice.
Edu’s efforts led to his promotion to sporting director in November 2022, a role he has held since.
Regarded as one of the top sporting directors in football, Edu has been instrumental in securing key signings, including Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
He has also successfully negotiated the departures of unwanted players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aaron Ramsdale.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Edu has decided to leave following discussions with other club officials.
His departure is part of an expected reshuffle within the club’s executive team.
Sources indicate that Edu’s exit is not due to a power struggle at the Emirates Stadium.
More details are anticipated in the coming days, though it remains unclear when exactly he will depart.
Edu has been a crucial ally to Arteta since the latter’s appointment in December 2019.
Arteta will likely address the media regarding Edu’s departure ahead of the team’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
As reported by Sky Sports News, Edu has been considered for a role with Evangelos Marinakis’s group of clubs, including Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos.
However, it is uncertain if this opportunity is the reason for his exit, with Arsenal officials reportedly surprised by his decision.
A former midfielder, Edu spent four years at Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
He began his executive career as director of football at Corinthians before serving as general coordinator for the Brazil national team prior to joining Arsenal.
This season has proven challenging for Arsenal, with Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle leaving them fifth in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.
This follows a summer transfer window in which the Gunners invested over £100million, bringing in players such as Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, David Raya, Raheem Sterling, and Neto.
After Edu’s promotion to sporting director, Arteta expressed his desire for Edu to remain with the club for the long term.
“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 moments as well to be together.”
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