Nottingham Forest confirm Edu as new global head of football

New York Times

6 days ago

Former Arsenal sporting director Edu has been named as Nottingham Forest's global head of football.
The club said the newly-established role will see Edu oversee all football activity at the City Ground, including 'recruitment, performance, squad strategy, and player development'.
The Brazilian's remit is also expected to extend to the other clubs owned by Forest president Evangelos Marinakis – Greek outfit Olympiacos of Greece and Portugal's Rio Ave.
Advertisement
Edu is expected to have responsibility for adding to the collection of clubs and growing Marinakis' operation.
Edu said: 'I'm truly excited about this new chapter and honoured by the trust placed in me. This project connects deeply with my values around innovation and long-term planning. I look forward to building a global football model that is competitive, sustainable, and aligned with our President's ambition.'
Marinakis said: 'We are extremely happy to welcome Edu to our football family. His global experience, values, and winning mindset align perfectly with our objective to strengthen and expand our international football platform.'
In November, Edu, 46, stepped down after five years at the Emirates Stadium.
Edu, a member of the 2003-04 'Invincibles' team as a player, said his decision to leave Arsenal was 'incredibly hard' to make.
He was appointed as Arsenal's first technical director in the summer of 2019 and, in December that year, hired his former Arsenal teammate Mikel Arteta as first-team manager.
Edu was subsequently named Arsenal's first sporting director in November 2022.
'Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club's history,' he said in a statement confirming his Arsenal exit.
'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.'
GO DEEPER
'Arsenal was his university': How Edu's post-Invincibles career prepared him to return as technical director
After retiring in 2011, he spent five years as Corinthians' director of football, in addition to a two-month stint as the Iran national teams' advisor in 2014.
Edu was the coordinator of the Brazil national team before returning to Arsenal as technical director.
In April, Forest began their preparations for a potential return to European football with Marinakis taking a step back from his involvement in the club, as reported by The Athletic.
Advertisement
The Greek shipping magnate placed his shares in the club into a blind trust to ensure compliance with the multi-club ownership regulations of UEFA, which runs Europe's three continental club competitions.
The 57-year-old will now, officially, have no influence or control over the running of the club next season, with UEFA regulations stipulating that he cannot be involved in both Forest and Olympiacos if they are both to play in Europe.
Forest are set to compete in the Conference League for the coming season after finishing seventh under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo last term. Nuno has since signed a new contract running to 2028.
Analysis by Forest reporter Paul Taylor
Nottingham Forest will see the appointment of Edu as being something of a coup – evidence of their ambitions to continue the club's growth.
The Brazilian built himself a strong reputation during his time as an executive at Arsenal, where he became an influential figure off the pitch, just as he had been on it as a player.
When Edu first returned to Arsenal in 2019, the club described him as being the 'final and very important piece of the jigsaw', as they began a new era, following the departure of legendary manager Arsene Wenger.
The former midfielder played a key role while wearing a suit, rather than a tracksuit, working with Mikel Arteta as he stamped his influence in north London. It was a shock when news broke, back in November 2024, that he was set to leave Arsenal to take on a role within Marinakis' football empire.
But now he will be a big part of the jigsaw under the Greek, in Nottingham and beyond.
Edu's job title is global head of football. He will have a wide-ranging role at Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave, where he will have a big influence on recruitment, squad performance and strategy and player development.
Advertisement
When Forest were promoted back to the Premier League, via the Championship play-offs in 2022, Marinakis stated that he wanted to lead the club back into Europe.
It seemed ambitious at the time, but Forest will return to the European stage for the first time in three decades following their seventh-placed finish under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The club want to maintain their steep upward trajectory and will see the appointment of Edu as something that will help them to achieve that.
()