Edu: Arsenal sporting director to leave club with Gunners surprised by his decision
Arsenal's director of football, Edu, has chosen to resign from his position at the club.
The Brazilian's departure occurs as there is interest in him for a position with the clubs owned by Evangelos Marinakis.
At present, they have teams like Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos, and Rio Ave under their wing, and they might be seeking to acquire a fourth European club in the future.
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It remains uncertain whether Edu has decided to join the team.
Sky Sports News reports that Edu's choice has caught Arsenal off guard.
The sports director had been in Brazil for personal reasons and returned late last week.
The 46-year-old has a close relationship with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, and together they have transformed Arsenal into serious contenders for the championship.
In September, after the manager finalized a new contract, Edu shared their long-term goals for the future. There were no indications that he was thinking about stepping down from his position.
Edu took on the role of technical director at Arsenal in July 2019, and in November 2022, he made history by becoming the club's inaugural sporting director.
The ex-midfielder of the Gunners played a key role in bringing in Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, and he was also instrumental in getting rid of players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.
Since Edu joined the club, Arsenal has invested £867 million, making them one of the top spenders during this time, trailing only Chelsea and Manchester United. They've also secured the FA Cup title and were the runners-up in the Premier League for the past two seasons.
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"Edu Seeks More Influence After Arsenal Shake-Up"
Miguel Delaney, the main football writer for The Independent, shared his thoughts with Sky Sports News:
There have been some indications of a shift in relationships at Arsenal, which isn't exactly a battle for power, but it's got people wondering if this has played a role in the decision-making process.
I believe that a portion of this situation stems from Edu seeking greater influence in a certain area, and the Marinakis group is ready to provide him with that opportunity.
Regarding the impact on Arteta: "I don't think it will have a significant effect, considering the changes happening at Arsenal."
I believe Arteta has transitioned from being just a head coach to a full-time manager, gaining significantly more authority and impact when it comes to player acquisitions.
"However, the speed at which Edu has left has been quite sudden, and Arsenal will want to ensure they choose the right replacement."
