Edu Leaves Nottingham Forest After Just Over a Year in Global Role

Nottingham Forest's global head of football Edu has left the club after just over a year in the position, according to BBC Sport. The former Arsenal midfielder was appointed in July 2025, but the report said he had not attended a game since February and that his departure had been expected. His contract is believed to have been terminated, although that detail was not presented as confirmed.

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Edu's role extended beyond Forest. His remit also covered Olympiacos in Greece and Portuguese club Rio Ave, two other clubs owned by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. BBC Sport reported that Forest do not expect to appoint a direct replacement for Edu. Instead, chief football officer George Syrianos is set to assume his responsibilities.

The exit follows a turbulent period in Forest's football operation. Edu's position came under scrutiny after a falling-out with Nuno Espirito Santo, who was dismissed in September 2025. Nuno was the first of four managers to lead Forest during the subsequent season, underlining the degree of change around the club's senior football structure.

Before Nuno's departure, the coach had indicated that internal tensions existed and said his relationship with Marinakis had changed. BBC Sport did not report further detail about the disagreement, and Forest's latest personnel decision was described through the confirmed departure and the expected reassignment of Edu's duties. No direct statement from Edu was included in the report.

Edu joined Forest following six years at Arsenal, where he became the London club's first sporting director in 2022. He was involved in bringing Mikel Arteta to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal went on to win their first Premier League title in 22 years last season, adding to Edu's record with the club after he had earlier won two league titles and two FA Cups as an Arsenal player.

His departure also comes shortly after another senior appointment at the City Ground. Former Olympiacos vice-president Theodore Giannikos was named Forest's chief executive last week. Giannikos succeeded Lina Souloukou, who stepped down at the end of last season. Together with Syrianos taking on Edu's work, the changes leave Forest with a revised leadership group as the club moves forward without a separate global head of football.