Edu: Arsenal sporting director leaves club with Gunners surprised by his decision | Football News

Arsenal sporting director Edu has decided to leave the club.

The Brazilian's exit comes amid interest in him for a role in Evangelos Marinakis' club group.

These currently include Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave – and in the future potentially a fourth club they want to buy in Europe.

However, it is still unclear whether Edu has agreed to join the group.

Sky sports news understands that Edu's decision surprised Arsenal.

The sports director was traveling to Brazil for personal reasons and returned at the end of last week.

The 46-year-old shares a strong bond with Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, with whom he turned Arsenal into title contenders.

When the manager signed a new contract in September, Edu had outlined his new long-term ambitions. There was no sign that he was considering leaving his role.

Edu joined Arsenal as technical director in July 2019 before becoming the club's first sporting director in November 2022.

The former Gunners midfielder was responsible for the signings of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, while helping offload players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.

Since Edu joined the club, Arsenal have spent £867m – only Chelsea and Manchester United have spent more in that period – and won the FA Cup while finishing runners-up in the last two Premier League seasons.

“Edu wants more power in Arsenal reshuffle”

Miguel Delaney, The Independents Chief football writer, tells Sky sports news:

“There have been some indications that this is not necessarily a power struggle at Arsenal but a reordering of dynamics and there is speculation as to whether this has influenced this decision.”

“I think part of it is because Edu wants more power somewhere and the Marinakis group is willing to offer it to him.”

What impact will it have on Arteta: “I’m not sure it will be too much given this dynamic at Arsenal.”

“I also think Arteta has now moved up from head coach to full-time manager and has a lot more control and influence over new signings.”

“But it was relatively abrupt given how quickly Edu’s departure came and Arsenal will want to sort out his successor.”