Needs a Footballing Edu-Cation That One, Edu Leaves Another Director of Football Post

Forest Director Edu Gaspar Leaves City Ground

Nottingham Forest have terminated the contract of 'Global Head of Football' Director Edu Gaspar after a little over one year at the club.

New: Edu Gaspar's time at Nottingham Forest is officially over. The contract of Forest's global head of football was terminated last week #nffc https://t.co/g9YghFqOqY

— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) September 7, 2026

The Brazilian joined the East Midlands side in 2025 after five years at Arsenal, a club where Edu enjoyed a fine four years during his playing career between 2001 and 2005, helping Arsenal to win the Premier League and FA Cup double during his first campaign in English football, becoming the first Brazilian to win the Premier League in the process. Before being a part of Arsenal's famous 'Invincibles' team in 2003/004, winning the league title without suffering a single defeat throughout the 38-game season.

In July 2019, Edu returned to Emirates Stadium. Becoming the first Technical Director in the club's history after a reconstruction of the North London side's hiearchy following the departure of long-time manager and club legend Arsene Wenger.

Three years later in 2022, Edu's influence behind the scenes at Arsenal grew, as he was appointed as the club's new Sporting Director, becoming one of the most influential individuals at the club and handling much of the off-field football business such as transfers and contract negotiations, as well as helping oversee the club's academy operations alongside academy manager Per Mertesacker.

We are delighted to announce that Edu Gaspar has been appointed as our first-ever Sporting Director.

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 18, 2022

Edu left Arsenal after five years back at the club in 2024, and later in July 2025 the Brazilian joined Nottingham Forest as 'Head of Global Football Operations', helping oversee not just Forest but also over clubs owned by Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis such as Olympiacos annd Portugese outfit Rio Ave.

The appointment of Edu for Forest was seen as something of a statement of intent. Despite coming under criticism at times from Arsenal supporters, the Brazilian was recognised for doing a solid job at the club and his sudden resignation came as something of a surprise with the opportunity to help take Forest up a level by helping to work across recuitment, strategy and development a chance Edu was keen to take.

However, Edu's arrival at the City Ground was met by chaos and uncertaintly almost immeditatly, as the Brazilian director struggled to form a strong relationshp with then Forest Head Coach Nuno Espirto Santo from the moment he was appointed into his role at Forest's hierachy.

Santo had helped lead Forest to an unprecidented 7th place finish in the Premier League during the 2024/25 season, after joining the club in the latter stages of the previous campagin, where he guided the club to safety in the top flight.

Despite that, Edu and Santo struggled to see eye to eye during their combined time at the East Midlands, wuth a summer which included a dispute between the two over the failed transfer of Adama Traore, who Santo worked with during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, however Edu decided against pursuing a move for the Spanard, which angered Santo and caused more friction between the two ahead of the beginning of the 2025/26 season.

BREAKING: Edu had his contract as Nottingham Forest’s global head of football terminated 🚨 pic.twitter.com/18JqAW0Pk8

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 7, 2026

The relaitonship between the Portuguese coach and Edu resulted in Santo leaving Forest in September 2025, beginning a season of chaos off the pitch at the City Ground which included four permanant managers in the dugout, as the club eventually finished in 16th place with Vitor Perriea in charge.

Off the pitch, matters were just as chaotic. With Edu;'s recuitment at the City Ground coming under question from many, with the Brazilian influential in the arrivals of Omari Hutchinson for £37.5 million, Olexandr Zinchenko on loan from Arsenal, and Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus. With all three players struggling at Forest before leaving the club.

Edu's departure from Forest has been expected for some time, with the Brazilain not seen at the City Ground or at the club's training ground since February, with the last match attended being Forest's defeat by Liverpool on 22nd February, and was not involved in the appointment of current Head Coach Oliver Glasner.

The Brazilian leaves the club after failing to win over many behind the scenes, with period not working out on both sides in what has turned out to be a disastrious appointment for both Edu and Forest.

It remains to be seen whether Forest will formally replace Edu. However, Chief Football Officer George Syriano has taken more of a influence at the club during Edu's period of being sidelined in recent months, with the role of 'Global Football Operations' across Marinakis's clubs essentially being formed as a result of Edu's arrival, it is yet unclear whether a replacement for the Brazilian will be required.