Former Arsenal man frozen out after just 8 months

Reports claim the Brazilian has been told to stay away from the club as his short tenure nears its end.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Edu Gaspar’s turbulent spell at Nottingham Forest appears to be nearing its end after the former Arsenal sporting director was instructed to stay away from the club’s training ground and stadium.

Forest appointed Edu as global head of football in July with responsibility for recruitment, performance, squad strategy and player development across Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs.

Less than eight months later his tenure is approaching the end, with the Brazilian absent from the club’s last three matches, including the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Wednesday.

The appointment was intended to use Edu’s experience from Arsenal to help develop Marinakis’s wider football operation, but the project has struggled amid managerial upheaval and a £200m spending spree that has produced a number of underwhelming signings.

Edu has worked alongside four managers during his short time at the City Ground. Nuno Espirito Santo was in charge when Edu arrived but the relationship between the two quickly deteriorated, a breakdown widely viewed as a major factor behind the manager’s dismissal in September.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Since then Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and now Vitor Pereira have each taken charge.

According to the Telegraph, Forest insist Edu continues to work as normal, yet reports also suggest his departure is now expected before the end of the season. His influence has reportedly declined internally, with the decision to dismiss Dyche taken without his input despite having supported the appointment alongside sporting director George Syrianos.

Recruitment decisions during Edu’s time have also drawn scrutiny. Oleksandr Zinchenko joined on loan from Arsenal before leaving in January to sign permanently for Ajax, where he suffered an ACL injury two minutes into his debut.

Douglas Luiz returned to Aston Villa after his loan was cancelled, while Arnaud Kalimuendo, signed from Rennes for £26m, was loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt within four months.

Forest currently sit 17th in the Premier League, outside the relegation zone on goal difference with nine matches remaining.