Edu leaves Nottingham Forest: Transfer chief departs just over a year into the job after being told to ‘stay away’ from the club six months ago

Edu Gaspar has officially left his role at Nottingham Forest having been told to stay away from the club six months ago.The Brazilian has not been seen at a match since February and reports emerged the following month that he had been told by the Premier League club not to visit either the training ground or stadium. Edu’s departure from the club was expected following the request, with his contract having now been officially terminated.The 48-year-old had been appointed by Forest in July 2025 after leaving Arsenal, where he played a key role in helping transform the club under Mikel Arteta.Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis hired Edu to ‘oversee all football-related functions, including recruitment, performance, squad strategy and player development’.His role also encompassed other clubs owned by Marinakis, including Olympiacos in Greece and Portuguese club Rio Ave. Edu Gaspar has officially left Nottingham Forest, six months after being told to stay away from the clubEdu was understood to have had a falling-out with Nuno Espirito Santo just weeks after his arrival at the City Ground.The breakdown in their relationship had been viewed as a key factor in Nuno’s departure from the club.Nuno had publicly criticised Forest’s transfer policy on the eve of last season, with the manager struggling to work under the new structure after Edu’s arrival.The Portuguese coach was sacked just three games into the season, despite leading the club into the Europa League just months earlier.Nuno was the first of four Forest managers last season, with Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira also having short-lived spells during a chaotic campaign.Edu is not expected to be replaced at the City Ground, as Forest’s chief football officer George Syrianos has assumed his responsibilities. Edu had previously served as Arsenal’s sporting director for five-and-a-half years, before taking the surprise decision to leave in November 2024.The former midfielder, who had been part of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ squad, officially left in April 2025 after serving a period of gardening leave.Forest, now managed by Oliver Glasner, have begun the new season with two draws and a defeat in their opening three Premier League matches.