Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu Gaspar, announced his resignation on Monday, stating his intention to “pursue a different challenge” after playing a key role in the club’s resurgence in recent years.
The 46-year-old former midfielder, who was part of the Arsenal team that last won the Premier League in the 2003/04 season, was appointed the club’s first technical director in 2019. He was instrumental in the appointment of Mikel Arteta as manager later that year.
Reports suggest that Edu could be headed for a new role with Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis, who owns both Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos.
“This was an incredibly hard decision to make,” Edu said in a statement on Arsenal’s official website. “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.”
Edu returned to London five years ago after successful stints as sporting director at Corinthians and with the Brazilian national team. During his time at Arsenal, he oversaw the departure of aging players like Mesut Özil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, helping to reshape the squad with a younger, more dynamic team that has thrived under Arteta’s leadership—though the club has yet to add significant silverware during this period.
Arsenal has not won a major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020 but finished as Premier League runners-up to Manchester City in both of the past two seasons.
