Arsenal have confirmed that sporting director Edu will leave the club after five years in north London.
The former midfielder and two-time Premier League winner returned to Arsenal in 2019 to become the first technical director in the club’s history having worked in a similar role for the Brazilian national team and sporting director for Corinthians.
Mikel Arteta was named the new Arsenal head coach just a month after Edu’s arrival and the Brazilian remained in his post as the club parted company with head of football Raul Sanllehi in the summer of 2022.
Later appointed as the club’s first ever sporting director in November 2022, a move that saw him take more responsibility with the women’s first team and the Academy, Edu has been considered a key figure in the improvement of the men’s first team over the past few seasons and is widely seen as a close ally of Arteta’s.
A report in the Athletic (£) says Edu is expected to take up a role overseeing the teams controlled by Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave owner Evangelos Marinakis, with the Independent claiming Marinakis is willing to offer Edu three times his Arsenal salary.
In a parting message, relayed via the club website, Edu said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.
“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.
“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”
Meanwhile, Josh Kroenke stressed that the Gunners would recruit an appointment that matches the club’s ambitions.
“We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.
“Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.
“Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”
It was Edu’s idea to build a team around talented youngsters and grow them into title contenders. It’s a shame to see him go.
Yes agree. Also, think it is amazing how quickly opinions change. I have been surprised by some of the negative views. Only a few months ago Edu and the team were being credited for building one of the most valuable squads in the world without the same outlay other teams have spent.
I do think appointing the correct replacement will be a challenge. It is vital to have someone of the highest quality. However, it is just as important that they embrace the good things that are in place. Someone who won’t change things for the sake of change and to put their own fingerprint on things. In such an important role, it would be easy to undo the good things in place and cause disharmony very quickly. Whoever comes in needs to put the club before their ego.
I agree, but perhaps thats more likely to happen with a coach/manager role. There would be a very clear plan to be executed in the short, medium and long term and from very specific deliverables.
Robert Pires?
Txiki Begeristain?
Thinking about it, you probably don’t *need* to fly anywhere to do that job.
Just saying…
Quietly enjoy your BBQ sir Edu.
Without the same outlay?
Very few have spent more.
Without the same outlay??!! We’ve spent more dude!
I understand that Edu did a good job is squad building, though caveats apply
1 We are 3rd highest spenders in the league, and second in the league table
2 We have been unable to get value from our sales, esp during initial period of Edu reign. eg Abu being paid to move to Barca for free, and Barca got 12mn from Chelsea for an older (and worse) player
3 Squad additions in last 3 windows have been very uninspiring, esp lack or failed attackers bought
Aubameyang leaving for free to Barca was the catalyst for building one of the most exciting young teams we’ve ever had. Worth a £12m loss plus his eye watering wages off our hands I’m sure. Not to mention he halved the wage bill getting rid of the ridiculous overpaid underperformers left by Gazidis. And the last 3 ‘uninspiring’ windows have led to two title challenges, one of which Arsenal scored more goals and got more points than any Arsenal team in history other than the Invinvibles. I’m just not sure what more people want sometimes, him and Arteta have been… Read more »
How do you know it was his idea?
Before everyone lauds Edu hod like and his signings remember he also signed Vieira Tavares Lokonga Pepe Willian Sterling Ceballos Luiz Mari Soares Runnasson Rekik Ryan Trusty Marquinos. Turner Kiwior Jesus
Throw enough at the wall and some will stick. He was no genius and can be easily replaced by new or reorganisation
Exactly. Although part of me wonders did he just get fed up not being able to say no to Arteta’s more dubious signings…like merino and sterling for example.
Regardless, I’d give him 5/10 for incomings/outgoings during his tenure.
We’ll probably never find out but would love to know if this has been in the post for a while, maybe he got an offer in the summer but turned it down. Surely the club haven’t been completely blindsided by this?
I think it has. We know Marinakis has been after Edu for some time. I wonder if the arrival of Richard Garlick as Managing Director may have been the catalyst for him deciding to leave now?
Maybe he’s a vampire.
I would hazard a guess that the club has known about Edu taking this new job for at least 6 months. In pretty much any job you cannot just walk out of the door – you have to give notice – and the higher up in an organisation you are the more notice you have to provide. It is a bit different in football as you sign contracts for terms rather than just rolling contracts and they can be bought out by competitors for a fee. As far as I am aware there is no indication of Edu’s contract being… Read more »
We can only be grateful for his contribution and wish him well. We have a strong team that will compete till the end of the season despite our recent slump, he’s leaving us in a better position as a team. 2 months before the next transfer window, plenty of time to get someone in and work on new transfers. COYG!
He’s gonna be fucked when the enormous Greek bloke has a massive heart attack in 18 months time.
A shame but wish him the best of luck. For us it’s a blow given his instrumental he’s been to our current progress. But it’s also an opportunity, a fresh set of eyes could be what we need to take the next step forward, especially after the last window.
This could be a blessing in disguise.
Somebody needs to step in and get hold of Arteta. He needs to be told that we’re going to win nothing unless we go out there and buy a striker.
A strong new DOF could make all the difference.
He’s probably waiting for your call to tell him just that Fats..
You think Arteta disagreed with the idea of bidding for sesko then ?
I’d step back and look wider.
A net spend of zero after failing to get sesko and coming so close in the league followed by the departure of the Sporting Durector to a club thats owners are free spending to the point of PSR issues is – let’s just say – intriguing.
🤦🏻♂️
You would swear all of you actually work at Arsenal with these ludicrous assumptions.
Seriously. I can’t believe that anyone thinks our limited spending last summer is down to either Arteta or Edu. Both of them, in their own way, talked consistently about wanting to bring in more quality.
The Kroenkes are back centre stage, we’re back to praying that they know what they’re doing (outside of bean counting).
Did the Kroenkes decide to spend 65 million on an Italian defender when we were desperate for a striker?
Did the Kroenkes decide to sell ESR and leave us no cover for Odegaard?
Did the Kroenkes decide to keep useless crocks like Jesus, Zinchenko and Tomi?
Arteta and Edu are responsible for this mess.
The idea is to buy the Italian defender *and* a striker and whatever else the manager+DoF say is needed to compete. Because even with their faults, I trust the actual football people more than the owners.
Instead, leaks from the owners in the summer indicated that we needed to sell to buy because of [insert arbitrary reason here]. That was a load of crock when it was first trotted out post-Emirates, and is a bigger load of crock now.
There is no mess Fats, there are two games lost.
Bollocks. This was the season that we were supposed to push on and win the title. Instead, we went into the season hopelessly underprepared and now we’re paying the price.
We ARE in a mess.
Negative idiotic opinion as always. It’s you who needs to get a hold of yourself.
You’re another one of these entitled fans who think the club owe you trophies and wins week in and week out.
Do you need to be reminded that we have finished right behind a powerhouse club two seasons in a row, with the youngest squad and manager. We’re lucky to be spectators.
Sorry, that’s bollocks. We are also a powerhouse especially with the financial resources of the owners behind us. We’ve spent massively last 3 seasons so they no doubt expect a return on their investment soon. As do all of us!
Your entitlement belies your opinions.
We have dropped 12 points over the first 1/4 of the season. Not great start!
The Kroenke’s aren’t as savvy as they think they are. The last time the structure became more complicated we ended up with Raul Sanhelli and muddied reporting lines. It was only the ability of Mikel and Edu that saved us from that mess, NOT the Kroenkes employing Tim. I think he was only sent over because someone stood up to Raul, and that didn’t happen until Edu and Mikel were a team. Before that Edu was powerless under Raul and had to be a part of that terrible charade of ‘leaking’ the tragic Auba episode which led to Gironde leaving… Read more »
What responsibilities is the guy coming in meant to have ? James King
Legal
I read somewhere he’s coming in as Director of Football operations though
Does seem convenient that James King returned to the club a week ago, maybe this Edu departure has been in the pipeline for awhile?
What has stood out to me and is quite embarrassing are the conclusions ‘fans’ have been pushing about why he is leaving.
Isn’t it fascinating? Each one has their own theory that must be the only explanation based on prior conviction. How you view this is an insight into your own mind and your own Arsenal related biases.
What’s your view doc? Give us an insight into your psyche…
I shed no tears if he’d rather work at Forest and Olypiacos!
Who do you work for?
Some Dick apparently;)
Top comment on the thread today 9/10.
It’s weird, isn’t it? I thought he had more class than to join Marinakis, but I guess money talks, and being in charge of three/four clubs, and paying off referees instead of having problems with them.
I think – because it’s an international conglomerate – that Edu may well regard this as an upward career move. If you look at his trajectory, he’s quite the careerist – each step an upward one (& I don’t mean this as a criticism, necessarily).
Is this a direct quote from James on the podcast? Are you James?
WTF is going on
He did an excellent job so thank you Edu and good luck. Hopefully the club will be ambitious and replace him with someone who will do an even better job. Hopefully someone with an Arsenal connection. It will be interesting to see who gets the role.
this is nuts!
Sorry to see him go and good luck to him. No one is unique.
Here’s a question to which I am curious to hear people’s answer: IF Arteta goes through this season without a trophy, would you replace him or give him one/multiple more years to put it right?
Is this a serious question? Come on.
Yes, very. I’m curious to see what people think. I’m sure there will be some conflicting views.
I think he needs to start winning things now.
Saka, Rice, Odegaard etc won’t stick around forever if we’re not winning trophies and it will be old Arsenal all over again
I think he’ll definitely get another year but if there’s then yet another year with no trophy then he will be under real pressure. Plus, there’s the real question that if he can’t win a trophy after 5+ years (since the FA Cup) in complete control (with full support from the Kroenkes) whether he can ever get it done.
There will be but there’s no doubt about the correct answer in this instance. Unbelievable that this is even brought forward.
Put it right? Are we even serious right now? No we are not. Eric Ten Hag won “something” would you rather have that mess at your club? No. There is no manager in the world who cares more about this club and who would be a more complete leader on the pitch and off it. Anyone who doubts that hasn’t been paying attention. Get your heads out of the sand, look around and see where he has brought this football club. Then ask yourself who could do better. The answer is quite simply nobody.
Your football club is at an ebb for the first time in years and this is how you respond. Shameful.
Calm down buddy. Nobody is saying Arteta should be sacked today. Regardless of what you or I think, lots of people measure success in terms of trophies. If Arteta fails to win one in the next year or two, it’s not unreasonable to ask the question.
Totally
Once my response finally makes it through the filter you will see
I will make one correction to the post that’s coming. 89 points is merely the second highest ever point total, 1 behind the invincibles. Senor Arteta has only managed to amass two of the four highest point totals in PL club history in the past two seasons. https://www.statmuse.com/fc/ask/arsenal-most-points-in-a-premier-league-season
Geez loooeez…are you Mrs Arteta? Or his agent?! Lol.
You keep needling from the safe anonymity of the internet but don’t dare challenge my actual arguments. I don’t have to tell you what that behavior is, you already know. You may not like what I have to say but I back up my opinions to the extent possible and admit when I’m wrong. You? Not so much.
Don’t waste your time, he lives in negative town.
I don’t think you do and you don’t like being challenged. Instead you like questioning the psyche of those who hold differing views. All the while supplying us with your “football manager” level analysis in the most condescending way. You’re entitled to your opinion though!
Thank you for the feedback. I’ll do my best to be more mindful of how I come across to others. There’s always room to improve.
I think you should go do your badges – you’re a natural. The city job will be open end of season.
I thought Arteta gambled with his job security with the Rice signing. That must have ramped up expectations and pressure from higher up.
More time for me. He always had forgiveness from me with his bumpy start. Taking over mid season, then covid season. So to me it kind of feels like he’s legitimately been boss for less time. Then factor in the background stuff taking place (a rebuild of the type Manure have failed) getting rid of dead wood, genuinely rebuilding. He has to get more time having been so responsible for getting us to where we are. I believe he can make us better still
One more season with a clear target like Jonas.
No because my support of Arsenal since the 1960’s has never been conditional on them winning anything. All I demand is, given what they are paid today, that they turn up and leave everything on the pitch unlike the Newcastle game.
Oh and beat Sp*rs twice each season)
That depends on the performance level on the pitch. I they look abject and disjointed then yes he should go. If they’re in contention, committed and pushing but coming up just short that’s the luck of the draw sometimes. Only one team wins a trophy.
Multiple
Give him more time. But I guess Arteta has plateaued a bit.
“Plateaued”? Are you joking? We’ve hit a minor bump for the first time in nearly a year and you call it “plateaued”? Get a grip. In the last two years we achieved back to back second place finishes behind a club with a 15-year record of blatant financial doping. We’re only a quarter the way through this season, for smeg’s sake. Do you really consider it a plateau when we lose one or two games? Honestly, from some of the ludicrous responses on this story, I think some people would still moan if we went 38-0-0 with a goal difference… Read more »
See it’s not just me. You people are out of line.
Some good responses. For what it’s worth I think he deserves plenty more time as long as the team keep playing with a clear identity. I’ve heard some rumbles of discontent though so was genuinely curious to see what people thought.
For me it seems quite simple, he was made an offer he couldn’t refuse. That can happen when you’re good at what you do. We’ve poached plenty of talent from other clubs by offering a bigger role and a bigger salary. It’s normal.
If the offer is what is being mooted, we’re unlikely to have matched it. However, we are supposedly a far bigger club than them. More than likely, there was something between his current remuneration and the offer he’s accepted that could have convinced him to continue. The fact that that compromise has not been found and we’re losing a DoF in the middle of a title contention window is not business-as-usual.
Think people explained it already when the news broke 1) we hired people who had an impact on Edu’s role in October 2) he got an offer for a bigger role with a bigger salary 3) this is a quiet period to leave (i.e. not during a transfert window nor close to it)
We need to distinguish better between explanations and rationalizations. There’s a lot of jumping to “makes sense if you think about it”, and actually it often doesn’t. Nobody from the club is going to explain in a press conference that they’re groping in the dark, but if they don’t hire a well-regarded replacement quickly, we should be able to draw our own conclusions.
I think this is just a perfect example of Occam’s razor
Compelling logic.
Does Edu’s departure explain perhaps some of the malaise affecting the players and recent performances, refereeing decisions excepted, affecting managerial decisions for tactics and picking players out of position? Am I reading too much into this affecting Mikel A and his management tea? Drama in the boardroom and disharmony always hits performance of the organisation, read this as on pitch performance and results.
No. Yes. Nonsense.
Good one, I like it
What did Edu do anyway? Was it like directing traffic?
Underrated Arsene classic.
There have been rumors about Edu being targeted by Marinakis for several months. Is there any truth to the suggestion that he decided to take the offer now because Richard Garlic was appointed Managing Director recently?
That escalated quickly
Where is ESR? Man, you can leave.
Is this really such a big deal?
Yes and no.
We lose someone who did more than an decent job but then he was not alone in this process and most people are still there.
Nope.
He left Arsenal as a player when he was at the top of his performance in 2005, but never managed to replicate that elsewhere
Here again he is leaving us at the top of his managerial career, I wish luck
I hope he doesn’t poach any of our staff
The timing seems pointed. Strange that it happens now and that he is linked with Forest.
Who knows? The important thing is to find a replacement that improves us.
Time to recruit David Dein.
Leaving at this particular stage in the session feels strange. This isn’t similar to when a manager like the Dutch goon at Man Utd got the axe as they’ve been crap for a long while under him and he needed to go, sooner the better. Why wasn’t the agreement made he works leave at the end of the season? Or even at the start of the season?
You can’t help worry about the knock on effects of this.
Saliba. Gabriel. Arteta.
You guys make laugh!
Maybe this is the change we need to stop a plateau. Fresh ideas and someone looking at different types of players could be good.