Morning all.
The big news to start today is the departure of Edu as the club’s Sporting Director. It began with some whispers over the weekend, they became more tangible yesterday morning with a report that he was set to leave, and by the end of the day there had been an official announcement from Arsenal who were not willing to comment earlier when the story first broke. A significant, and very rapid, development.
Entitled ‘Edu Gaspar resigns as Sporting Director‘, Josh Kroenke is quoted within, saying:
We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward. Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.
Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.
While Edu himself said:
I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend. It is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.
The new challenge, it seems, is to go and work for Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, as part of his football group which is looking to Edu to front up its multi-club model. Reports that his salary has been tripled probably go a long way to explaining why this has happened, but this is a story that goes back some distance – with reports in the Brazilian press about it back in August.
