Edu has left Nottingham Forest after a little more than a year as the club’s global head of football, bringing an end to a brief and increasingly distant spell at the City Ground.
The former Arsenal midfielder had not attended a Forest match since February, and his departure had been widely expected. His contract is understood to have been terminated.
Edu’s position came under increasing scrutiny after tensions emerged with former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who was dismissed in September 2025. Nuno was the first of four managers to leave Forest during a turbulent season and had previously indicated that his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated.
Forest are not expected to appoint a direct replacement for Edu. Chief football officer George Syrianos is set to take over his responsibilities within the existing football structure.
Edu joined Forest in July 2025 with a wider role across Marinakis’ group of clubs. His remit also covered Greek side Olympiacos and Portuguese club Rio Ave.
Before moving to Forest, Edu spent six years at Arsenal and became the club’s first sporting director in 2022. He played a key role in bringing Mikel Arteta to the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal later ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last season.
Edu also enjoyed a successful playing career with Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
His departure comes during another period of senior restructuring at Forest. Former Olympiacos vice-president Theodore Giannikos was appointed chief executive last week, replacing Lina Souloukou, who stepped down from the role at the end of last season.
Forest will now continue with Syrianos taking on a broader football brief as the club reshapes its leadership following a season of major managerial and executive changes.