Edu leaves Nottingham Forest after turbulent spell
September 7, 2026 16:45
Global head of football Edu has left Nottingham Forest after slightly more than a year in the role at the City Ground. He has not been present at Forest matches since February and his contract is reported to have been terminated; the club and media had expected his departure.
His spell at Forest had been publicly questioned after a disagreement with then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who was dismissed in September — the first of four managerial exits the club recorded last season.
KEY CONTEXT
Edu was appointed to the newly created global head of football role in July 2025. His brief covered Forest and also extended to two other clubs owned by Evangelos Marinakis: Greek side Olympiacos and Portuguese team Rio Ave.
Before joining Forest he spent six years at Arsenal, becoming the club’s first sporting director in 2022. As a player he won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Arsenal, and during his time in the club’s sporting structure he brought in Mikel Arteta, who later led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Recent boardroom changes at Forest include the appointment last week of former Olympiacos vice-president Theodore Giannikos as chief executive, replacing Lina Souloukou, who left at the end of last season.
WHY IT MATTERS
Edu’s role linked Forest’s sporting operations with other clubs in Marinakis’s ownership, so his exit represents a shift in how those cross-club responsibilities will be managed. The departure follows an episode of internal friction that coincided with heavy managerial turnover, highlighting ongoing instability in the club’s football management structure.
Forest have indicated they do not plan to fill the global head of football position, with chief football officer George Syrianos set to take on Edu’s duties — a notable consolidation of responsibility during a period of executive change.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Formal confirmation of the status of Edu’s contract and any official club statement clarifying the terms of his departure (reports say the contract is believed to have been terminated).
- How George Syrianos will integrate Edu’s responsibilities into his remit and manage links with Olympiacos and Rio Ave.
- The impact of recent executive changes — including the arrival of CEO Theodore Giannikos — on Forest’s recruitment and broader sporting strategy.
KEY FACTS
- Edu left Nottingham Forest after just over a year as global head of football.
- He had not attended a Forest game since February; his contract is believed to have been terminated.
- His position was highlighted after a falling-out with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, sacked in September (the first of four managers last season).
- Edu was appointed in July 2025 and oversaw operations involving Olympiacos and Rio Ave, also owned by Evangelos Marinakis.
- George Syrianos will assume Edu’s responsibilities; the role is not expected to be replaced.