Edu departs Nottingham Forest after turbulent year in charge

Nottingham Forest's global head of football Edu has departed the City Ground just over a year into the job. The former Arsenal midfielder had not attended matches since February, and his exit, understood to involve the termination of his contract, had long been anticipated.

Scrutiny of Edu's role intensified following a rift with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who was dismissed last September as the first of four managers Forest went through during the season. At the time, Nuno suggested there were internal tensions at the club and said his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had shifted.

Forest do not intend to appoint a direct successor to Edu; instead, chief football officer George Syrianos will take on his responsibilities.

Wide-ranging role

Edu joined the club in July 2025, and his brief extended beyond Forest to cover Greek side Olympiacos and Portuguese club Rio Ave, both also owned by Marinakis. He arrived after six years at Arsenal, where he became the club's first-ever sporting director in 2022, having previously won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his playing career at the club. It was Edu who brought in Mikel Arteta as manager, with Arteta going on to end Arsenal's 22-year wait for a league title last season.

Edu's departure follows the appointment last week of former Olympiacos vice-president Theodore Giannikos as Forest's chief executive. Giannikos replaces Lina Souloukou, who stepped down from the role at the end of last season.