Arsenal Delt Shock Blow As Top Executive Considers Stepping Down

The Arsenal sporting director, Eduardo César, is to leave the club and looks likely to join the network of clubs spearheaded by Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest.

Edu’s unexpected exit marks the conclusion of his five-year tenure in Arsenal’s senior management, which will result in Mikel Arteta losing one of his key supporters. The two share a close relationship, and Arsenal will need to adjust accordingly as the Brazilian prepares to leave.

The timeline for his departure is still uncertain.

Arsenal have become title challengers since their former midfielder rejoined the club, initially as technical director, in July 2019. He was heavily involved in Arteta’s arrival five months later and grew in influence after Raul Sanllehi, their head of football, departed in August 2020.

Despite some early challenges, Edu has come to be seen as a crucial figure in Arsenal’s proactive and effective transfer strategy.

His efforts facilitated the arrivals of players such as Martin Ødegaard, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Jesus, and Declan Rice, significantly transforming the profile of the squad.

There have been frustrations in more recent windows. The lack of genuine backups to Ødegaard or Bukayo Saka and continuing uncertainty over their center-forward position are the primary issues, although there is no indication that this is responsible for Edu’s imminent departure.

His connections with important figures in Arsenal’s hierarchy go beyond his friendship with Arteta. Currently, Arsenal sits fifth in the Premier League after a mixed start to the season plagued by injuries, struggling to regain the free-flowing style that characterized the Arteta era.

Now Edu is being lined up to take a senior role in Marinakis’ group, potentially in a position involving recruitment oversight. Forest, Olympiakos, and the Portuguese side Rio Ave are the three clubs currently under the 57-year-old’s control.

Edu was director of football at Corinthians after ending his playing career and, before returning to Arsenal, had been team coordinator for Brazil’s national team.

The 46-year-old’s first lack of experience in high-level European football administration raised some concerns, but he is now ready to take on a new challenge alongside the ambitious and controversial Marinakis.

His Forest team has emerged as a surprise contender this season, currently sitting in third place in the top flight.