Sources reveal why Edu is quitting Arsenal: SAMI MOKBEL on how the influential sporting director’s ‘itchy feet’ started months ago – and what he’s doing next

If Mikel Arteta has driven Arsenal’s turbulent revolution, Edu Gaspar has provided the fuel.

The famous photo of Edu, tongs in hand, standing over a barbecue with a large cigar on his lips, symbolic of the couple’s impact in the Emirates.

Arsenal are cooking under Arteta and Edu.

With that in mind, news of the Brazilian sporting director’s departure from Emirates, exclusively revealed by Mail Sport on Monday morning, will come as a hammer blow.

It will increase uncertainty. Edu’s influence in reviving a club that was in reality ailing long before Arsène Wenger’s departure in 2018 is clear and well documented.

A team rich in expensive underachievers has been revamped with hungry footballers who have helped the club out of its slump.

Mesut Özil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have left. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are now leading Arsenal into a new era.

Edu’s arrival in 2019, originally as technical director, brought back memories of Arsenal’s glorious past.

After all, the former midfielder was part of Arsenal’s Invincibles squad and won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups with the Gunners.

But his achievements as manager at Arsenal are worth just as much gold as his achievements on the pitch.

So why now? Why leave when Arsenal are one of the most exciting projects in European football?

Sources close to the situation claim that there has been a dilution of Edu’s power behind the scenes to some extent.

Owner Stan Kroenke’s family lawyer Tim Lewis is said to have seen his influence grow since his appointment as a non-executive director to Arsenal’s board in 2020.

The eyes and ears of the Kroenkes, the influence of Lewis should not be underestimated.

Richard Garlick, who originally joined the club in 2021 as director of football operations, was given greater control when he was promoted to CEO earlier this year.

The departure of Vinai Venkatesham, who worked closely with Edu, from the CEO role would have been a blow to Edu.

Given his impact in revolutionizing the club’s football operations, there was a sense that Edu was perhaps tailor-made as Venkatesham’s successor, although this was a position ultimately taken by Garlick, whose reputation within English football was strong is.

Edu has become one of the most talented sports directors in European football. If he yearned for more influence, that’s understandable.

At the beginning of the summer, according to sources, there was a growing feeling that Edu was getting itchy feet.

That perhaps he had grown too old at Arsenal and the role did not necessarily offer the South American the challenge he wanted.

It is said that the emerging football movement towards multi-club models could also be a factor here.

Football is so often fueled by ego. For the best of the best, why control just one club when you can control multiple clubs?

Our information earlier this year was that Edu saw the appeal of an influential position within a multi-club umbrella organization.

For example, former Bournemouth CEO Neill Blake left his position earlier this year to take up a role at club owners Black Knight, who also have stakes in Auckland FC and Hibernian.

Intriguingly then, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is an admirer of Edu and is willing to hand the Brazilian the keys to his multi-club operation, which also includes Olympiakos and Rio Ave.

It is understood that the Greek businessman is also trying to add another European side to his club club.

Forest’s interest in Edu has arisen since the summer and the discussions have taken place discreetly.

The prospect of the 46-year-old leaving the Emirates for the City Ground does not necessarily appear to be an upward move for Edu, although Forest supporters would suggest otherwise after their excellent start to the season.

You would imagine that Marinakis would be willing to make the leap financially worthwhile for Edu as well.

Edu and Marinakis have a personal relationship; the pair were spotted at the same table at the Gerando Falcoes charity event in London earlier this year.

But these positions are attractive, just ask Jurgen Klopp, who was appointed global head of football for the Red Bull group last month.

Arsenal has previously been confronted with the loss of Edu. In 2022, Edu emerged as a target for Paris Saint-Germain, who were looking for a sporting director at the time.

Edu was promoted in November, news which revealed his position was elevated from technical director to sporting director.

The news was important at the time: Edu became the first owner of that position at Arsenal.

He deserved his promotion. He earned his power base. But just two years later and here we are.

The news of the manager’s departure came as a shock to many at the club on Monday morning.

The departure of Edu, extremely popular among the staff and certainly the players, will be hard.

“The players always enjoy his company,” said an Arsenal source.

Edu is a popular and courteous player within the Premier League sporting director community. Edu’s most enviable quality is his warmth.

“He always calls you ‘my friend’ when you call him,” said a top sports director.

‘That goes a long way. Really nice guy.’

But that said, they will now all try to jump into Edu’s old job.