Ex-Arsenal chief sacked two years after leaving Gunners in the lurch with surprise exit
Former Arsenal chief Edu Gaspar(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Edu Gaspar's time at Nottingham Forest is believed to have come to an end.
The former Arsenal sporting director took up the position of global head of football at The City Ground in July 2025. His remit was set to span across owner Evangelos Marinakis' network of clubs, including Greek heavyweights Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave, alongside Forest.
The appointment was considered quite a significant acquisition by Forest at the time, given Edu's previous experience and success at Arsenal. However, things failed to materialise as hoped, and he found himself under increasing pressure during a turbulent 2025/26 campaign on Trentside.
Now, according to Nottinghamshire Live, Edu left Forest last week following the termination of his contract. No formal announcement has been made regarding his exit, yet he no longer features in the 'Who's Who' section of the club's official website.
Speculation surrounding a possible exit for Edu first surfaced in January, at a point when Forest were embroiled in a relegation battle. Further reports subsequently claimed he had been asked to keep away from the club's stadium and training facilities.
Shortly after Edu's arrival just over 12 months ago, a rift emerged with Nuno Espirito Santo that ultimately resulted in the Portuguese manager's dismissal as head coach last September. Forest proceeded to cycle through a further three managers throughout the remainder of the season, with Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira all occupying the dugout at various stages.
Edu during his time as sporting director of Arsenal(Image: Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Pereira was succeeded by Oliver Glasner in July, with the Austrian now charged with restoring some much-needed stability to the banks of the Trent as Forest look to push up the Premier League standings.
The Telegraph reported back in January that Edu felt the role "was not what he envisaged", and it is understood he also acknowledges he "struggled to build relationships with key members of staff", among them Marinakis.
Edu had spent more than five years as a director at Arsenal. He returned to the club in 2019, after spending time there as a player in the early 2000s, and went on to become the club's first-ever sporting director.
He was part of the leadership group that brought Mikel Arteta to the Emirates Stadium and helped build a side that went on to win the Premier League title last season. But Edu's time at Arsenal was concluded in November 2024 and he has since been replaced by ex-Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta.
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