Edu leaves Nottingham Forest after turbulent spell

Edu has left Nottingham Forest after just over a year at the City Ground, ending a turbulent spell as the club’s global head of football.

The former Arsenal midfielder had not attended a game since February, and his departure had been expected. His contract is believed to have been terminated.

Edu’s position came under scrutiny after a falling-out with Nuno Espírito Santo, who was dismissed last September. Nuno was the first of four managers at Forest last season and later hinted at internal tensions, saying his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had changed.

Forest does not expect to replace Edu. Chief football officer George Syrianos will take on his responsibilities.

Edu was appointed in July 2025, with responsibilities that also covered Marinakis-owned Olympiacos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal. He joined Forest after six years at Arsenal, where he became the club’s first sporting director in 2022. The club also appointed former Olympiacos vice-president Theodore Giannikos as chief executive last week, replacing Lina Souloukou, who left the City Ground role at the end of last season.