Nottingham Forest Appoint Edu Gaspar As Global Head Of Football.
Nottingham Forest have unveiled former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar as their new Global Head of Football, marking a significant coup for the Premier League club. The announcement, made on 7 July 2025, confirms the 47-year-old Brazilian’s appointment to a newly created role overseeing all football-related operations, including recruitment, performance, squad strategy, and player development, as the club prepares for their first European campaign in three decades.
Edu, a key figure in Arsenal’s resurgence under manager Mikel Arteta, resigned from his role as the Gunners’ sporting director in November 2024 after five years, during which he orchestrated high-profile signings like Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice. His tenure at Arsenal, where he also played as part of the 2003-04 Invincibles squad, saw the club return to title contention. Now, Edu will apply his expertise to Forest’s ambitious project under owner Evangelos Marinakis, which extends beyond the City Ground to include sister clubs Olympiacos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal. His role is expected to involve shaping a global football model, with potential expansion into Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, as Marinakis seeks to grow his football empire.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Edu stated, “I’m truly excited about this new chapter and honoured by the trust placed in me. This project connects deeply with my values around innovation and long-term planning.” Marinakis echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are extremely happy to welcome Edu to our football family. His global experience and winning mindset align perfectly with our objective to strengthen our international platform.” The appointment comes as Forest build on their seventh-placed Premier League finish last season, securing UEFA Europa Conference League football, with Edu’s strategic vision set to bolster their squad for the challenges ahead.