Arsenal’s long-serving sporting director, Edu Gaspar, rejected a lucrative new contract with the Gunners in favor of a multi-club role with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis as revealed by Daily Mail. This decision comes as a shock to many, given Edu’s instrumental role in Arsenal’s recent successes.
Edu, who has been with Arsenal for the past five years, was offered a contract that would have significantly increased his salary. However, the allure of working within a multi-club model and the challenge of leading Marinakis’ portfolio of clubs proved too tempting to resist. Marinakis’ football empire includes Nottingham Forest in England, Olympiacos in Greece, and Rio Ave in Portugal, with plans to expand further into Brazil.
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In a statement, Edu expressed his gratitude to Arsenal and acknowledged the difficulty of his decision. He praised the club’s support and his close relationship with manager Mikel Arteta, but ultimately felt it was time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal’s co-chair Josh Kroenke also expressed respect for Edu’s decision and gratitude for his contributions.
Edu’s departure marks the end of an era at Arsenal, but it also opens up new opportunities for him in the world of multi-club football. His knowledge of Brazilian football and the South American market will be invaluable to Marinakis as he seeks to expand his footballing empire.
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