Arsenal is currently faltering in the Premier League title race – and now has to face an even bigger setback: sporting director Edu is leaving with immediate effect.
Arsenal FC obviously needs to realign itself in terms of sporting management soon. As first reported by the Daily Mail and then also by numerous reputable English media outlets, and as the club itself officially confirmed on Monday evening, sporting director Edu is leaving the Gunners unexpectedly.
“Time to take on a new challenge”
“It was an incredibly difficult decision for me to make,” Edu is quoted in a statement. “I have loved working with so many great colleagues in our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a good friend.” However, he said it was now ‘time to take on a different challenge.’ According to the reports, the former Arsenal professional is being drawn to a role in Evangelos Marinakis’ football network that has not yet been finalized.
With Edu’s departure, coach Mikel Arteta loses a close confidant and the club loses one of its most important architects of recent years. The Brazilian initially moved to London as technical director in 2019 and was partly responsible for Arteta taking over as head coach just under six months later – a real coup.
While Edu gradually rebuilt and significantly rejuvenated the squad by making big earners like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Özil make way for youngsters like Martin Ödegaard and William Saliba, Arteta gradually led the talented team ever closer to the Premier League top. After two consecutive seasons as runners-up, this year they are aiming to win their first league title since 2004.
In 2022, Edu was rewarded with the position of sporting director, a role that did not previously exist at the Gunners; Arteta signed a new three-year contract last September. The critical voices that accompanied Edu’s early days have long since fallen silent.
Marinakis is in charge of three first division clubs
Now the 46-year-old Brazilian, who was part of the “Invincibles” in 2004 and began his career as a club official at Corinthians in 2011, has the prospect of even more responsibility. Marinakis is the owner of Premier League surprise package Nottingham Forest, Greece’s record champions Olympiakos Piraeus and Portuguese first division side Rio Ave, Edu could take on an overarching role.
On Saturday, Arsenal suffered their next setback in the title race with a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle. After only one point from the last three league games, Arteta’s team have now slipped to fifth place, seven points behind leaders Liverpool – while Nottingham are now third in the table.