Edu faces challenging 'first mission' assigned by Evangelos Marinakis following departure from Arsenal

The Gunners made the surprising announcement of Edu's departure earlier this week. The 46-year-old has now reached a tentative agreement to join forces with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Edu, who returned to Arsenal as technical director in July 2019, has played a key role in the Gunners’ recruitment strategy, which has helped restore Mikel Arteta’s side as credible Premier League title challengers.

The Brazilian is now set to work alongside Marinakis in a multi-club structure involving Forest, Greek side Olympiakos and Portuguese club Rio Ave.

Marinakis has already held talks to add Serie A side Monza to his portfolio, but according to Brazilian journalist, Jorge Nicola, Edu’s initial remit is to oversee the purchase of a Brazilian club.

Vasco da Gama are currently up for sale following the collapse of 777 Partners, a United States-based investment firm that also held stakes in Genoa, Sevilla, Hertha Berlin, Melbourne Victory and Standard Liege.

Speaking about Edu’s exit for the first time on Tuesday evening, Arteta said: ‘Everything happened very quickly.

‘Obviously I loved working with him, I really enjoyed being alongside him on this incredible journey. From day one we’ve been together. First of all I’m very grateful personally for everything he’s done for me, and for the amazing work he’s done for the football club.

‘I think we both had this special chemistry, working together, we really both enjoyed our roles and working together. I’m very blessed he’s been part of my life in such a beautiful place that I am right now, managing this amazing club and he’s been a massive part of that.

‘He’s got an amazing opportunity now to do something else, in a different role and he believes it’s the right professional move for him. We have to respect that, and from the bottom of my heart, everybody really feels that we want the best for him.’

Responding to potential concerns from Arsenal fans regarding Edu’s departure, Arteta said: ‘The plan and vision that starts with ownership is very clear and very ambitious, we are going to continue.

‘We have a very strong leadership team, with unbelievable knowhow, real passion and great feeling for the football club. We are not going to stop where we are at the moment.

‘Across the club… excitement, passion, and understanding of where we want to take this journey remains in tact. That means opportunities for somebody else to come in, to fill that role.

‘There are people that Edu has brought as well, alongside him on this journey which is always very important. And we move on. We say ‘thank you’ and we have to move on because that is the reality of our industry.’

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