Former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar lands new role after Forest exit

Former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has joined the board of Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia just days after his departure from Nottingham Forest was formally confirmed.

Levski announced on Monday that Edu is one of five members appointed to a newly established board of directors as the club restructure following their return to the top of Bulgarian football.

The precise position the 48-year-old will occupy has not yet been disclosed, with the new board expected to elect its chairman and executive director at its first meeting.

Levski nevertheless highlighted Edu’s extensive experience in recruitment, football strategy and player development when explaining his appointment.

“His experience in sports strategy, selection, talent development and organisational building will be an important asset for the club on its path to a sustainable and competitive football structure,” the club said.

The move represents a swift return to football for Edu following the formal conclusion of his short and ultimately unsuccessful spell with Forest.

His contract as global head of football was terminated earlier this month after he had effectively stepped away from his responsibilities several months earlier.

Edu joined Forest in July 2025, with his remit extending across owner Evangelos Marinakis’ wider network of clubs, including Olympiacos and Rio Ave.

The ambitious appointment was designed to give Edu responsibility across recruitment, performance, squad planning and player development, but the arrangement failed to develop as intended.

Reports in March indicated he was already preparing to leave, having not attended a Forest home match since February.

Edu’s reputation in English football was primarily established during five influential years at Arsenal.

The former Gunners midfielder returned to north London as the club’s first technical director in 2019 before becoming sporting director in November 2022.

He worked closely with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the extensive reconstruction of the first-team squad, helping oversee the recruitment of players including Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Edu left Arsenal in November 2024, with the club subsequently restructuring their football operation before appointing Andrea Berta as sporting director in 2025.

His next challenge now comes with a Levski side enjoying a significant period of resurgence.

The Sofia club won the Bulgarian championship last season, ending Ludogorets’ extraordinary sequence of 14 consecutive league titles.

Levski are attempting to build on that breakthrough by creating a more sustainable sporting structure capable of maintaining their domestic competitiveness and making progress in Europe.

Edu’s exact responsibilities remain to be established, but his appointment gives the former Arsenal executive another opportunity to apply the recruitment and organisational experience that helped establish his reputation in north London.

The post Former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar lands new role after Forest exit first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.