Nottingham Forest have pulled off a major coup with the appointment of former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar as their new Global Head of Football.
The 47-year-old Brazilian will now spearhead all football-related operations, including recruitment, performance analysis, squad strategy, and player development. Although the role is new, it comes with immense responsibility, as Forest aims to align its footballing direction with the expansive vision of club owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Edu is no stranger to high-level football management. After a successful playing career – which included winning two Premier League titles with Arsenal and spells at Valencia and Corinthians – he transitioned into executive leadership.
ALSO READ:
- Has Arsenal bottled the Premier League title?
- Saudi Pro League set to appoint Nigerian Michael Emenalo as first director of football
- Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery
- Taiwo Awoniyi ‘recovering well’ after two-phase emergency surgery following horror collision
- Dele Alli admits mental health struggles, sexual molestation as a child
- Nottingham Forest sends Arsenal out of FA Cup
He began as director of football at Corinthians before moving on to coordinate Brazil’s national team setup between 2016 and 2019. His return to Arsenal in 2019 marked a major turning point for the London club.
Indeed, Edu played a crucial role in reshaping Arsenal’s footballing identity. Not only did he bring in Mikel Arteta as manager, but he also helped rebuild a competitive squad that has since challenged for Premier League honours and captured the FA Cup under the Spaniard’s guidance. Although major titles have been elusive, Edu was widely credited for modernising Arsenal’s recruitment and performance model.
Now, Forest fans can expect a similar transformation. Edu himself described the new project as one that deeply reflects his passion for innovation and long-term planning.
He also expressed excitement about building a global football model that is both sustainable and competitive – core principles shared by Marinakis, who also owns Olympiakos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal.
Moreover, Marinakis’ recent interest in acquiring Brazilian side Vasco da Gama suggests Edu’s arrival may be the beginning of an interconnected football network. With vast experience and a proven track record, Edu could be the architect of a new era for Forest – one where ambition meets global reach and strategy drives success.
Tags: Edu Gaspar, Nottingham Forest, Corinthians, Arsenal, #NFFC, #COYG, #AFC, Evangelos Marinakis.
