Arsenal have confirmed that sporting director Edu Gaspar has left the club after tendering his resignation.
The 46-year-old Brazilian, who had been part of Arsenal’s Invincibles squad that went the 2003/04 season unbeaten, returned to the club as technical director in July 2019. That December he helped to appoint Mikel Arteta as the new manager at the club. In November 2022, he was promoted to a new role of sporting director.
During his time at Arsenal, as well as the recruitment of Arteta, Edu oversaw the signings of players such as William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. All but Bukayo Saka of the team who faced Newcastle United at the weekend were signed in Edu’s time at the club.
During that period, Arteta returned Arsenal to the UEFA Champions League and presented the biggest challenge to Manchester City in the title race in the past two seasons.
'Hard decision to make'
“This was an incredibly hard decision to make,” Edu told the club's official website. “Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank [owner] Stan [Kroenke], Josh [Kroenke, co-chair], Tim [Lewis, director] and Lord Harris [director] for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend. Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”
Josh Kroenke, wishing Edu well, added: “Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”
Edu’s departure is the second change at the executive level of the club this year, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham leaving in the summer. Richard Garlick was promoted from director of football operations to managing director with Venkatesham’s exit.
Sporting directors on the move
Arsenal are the latest Premier League club to change their sporting directors. At Liverpool, Richard Hughes left AFC Bournemouth to move to this position at Anfield, while at Manchester United Dan Ashworth left Newcastle United to become sporting director at Old Trafford. Ashworth was replaced by Paul Mitchell at St James’ Park.
Last month Man City announced that Hugo Viana would join from Sporting CP to take over from Txiki Begiristain as the club's director of football at the end of the season.
