Arsenal waved goodbye to Sporting director Edu Gaspar before the Champions League game against Inter Milan. Players and fans gathered to pay tribute to one of the most illustrated figures in the club’s rise to the top.
For supporters, this came out of nowhere and at a time when they were finally hitting the right track. But for the hierarchy, it was no surprise since something was cooking behind the scenes for the past year.
Edu enjoyed a successful five years at the Emirates Stadium, a tenure filled with future uncertainties. Arsenal knew that they needed to attend him once they agreed an extension for Mikel Arteta.
A reminder that Edu Gaspar was responsible for every signing in this photo as Arsenal’s sporting director besides academy graduate Bukayo Saka 👀 pic.twitter.com/y1b98PBPkA
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) November 4, 2024
The club knew that the sporting director has the ambition to play for a project with international scope. They were planning a meeting with him weeks before his departure, and many expected that it would be routine work for the Gooners.
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But for the staff and the players, this came as a total shock since many first heard of the 46-year-old’s departure via media. Edu travelled to Brazil a fortnight ago, and he started to appear less, fuelling speculations that a terminal was up on the cards.
His return to the games against Newcastle United came as a relief for the fans, and everything seems normal. However, just 48 hours later, the club informed its staff via mail that a key personality is leaving the Emirates.
Edu Gaspar had a strained relationship with Josh Kroenke
It was a hard decision for Edu, and he will have Arsenal in his heart forever. But we can understand the fan’s curiosity to know the real reason behind a sudden departure. News has surfaced that Gunners owner Josh Kroenke and the Brazilian director were not on the best of terms.
The cracks developed due to minute differences of opinion that started to become more noticeable as months passed by. It was said that Edu had to stay up late to take up calls from Kroenke for transfer-related updates.
He also wanted a renewed contract in which bonuses will be included if the players reach a particular milestone. However, as the owner was not in full agreement with the sporting director, Sources also claimed that Kroenke was aiming to bring in James King as Edu’s successor.
Club Statement: Edu Gaspar
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 4, 2024
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King was part of Arsenal’s off-field setup in 2016, wrapping up commercial deals before stepping into the operating unit two years later. He was then promoted as the club’s senior legal counsel for football operations.
However, he left the club in 2022 and has now joined the PFA’s general counsel team. Back in October, it was also claimed that King might come back to take Richard Garlick’s place as the director of football operations.
But supporters are now predicting him to take Edu’s place due to his experience handling Arsenal’s men’s, women’s, and academy teams. King has big shoes to fill if he becomes the next sporting director.
Edu Gaspar. An Arsenal legend! 🇧🇷🔴 pic.twitter.com/RuTMhIe7Xx
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) November 4, 2024
Edu changed the club’s football philosophy and was responsible for managing the progress of young academy stars, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the main team, and signing players as per the manager’s and the squad’s requirements.
Currently, assistant sporting director Jason Ayto will take up the South American’s role as the club continues their search for an ideal long-term replacement. The hierarchy would use the funds to buy players in January as per the need.
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Meanwhile, Edu will now work with Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club group, which includes Super League Greece outfit Olympiacos FC and Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
