OFFICIAL: Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar LEAVES the club

Arsenal's sporting director Edu is leaving the club in a decision that has taken the Gunners by surprise. Edu, who was responsible for the signings of Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Gabriel Martinelli, who he brought in from Brazil's youth ranks, and Declan Rice, joined Arsenal in 2019 as technical director and was promoted to sporting director in 2022.

The Brazilian has a close relationship with Mikel Arteta, who has also been at the club since 2019, and, together with him, rebuilt a club that had been out of the Champions League for years and made them title contenders again: they were runners-up in the last two Premier Leagues.

"Edu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our Sporting Director. Edu, our former player and Invincible, re-joined us in the role of Technical Director in July 2019. He progressed through the club and was promoted to Sporting Director in November 2022, where he oversaw men’s, women’s and academy football.  We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart," reads the statement.

For his part, the Braziliahn said: "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. 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.

According to the English press, the reasons for his departure are unclear, although he has been linked with a managerial position in the club conglomerate owned by Evangelos Marinakis, which currently owns Nottingham Forest, Rio Ave and Olympiacos.

Edu had a playing career at Arsenal, where he spent 4 seasons and played 79 games, winning the last Gunners' Premier League title.

 

November 4, 2024