ARSENAL have announced the appointment of Edu as their inaugural sporting director.
The former Gunners midfielder has served as the club’s technical director since July 2019, helping manager Mikel Arteta negotiate transfers.
Edu has been promoted from the role of technical director to sporting director
The former Gunners midfielder has formed a strong bond with manager Mikel Arteta
The Brazilian is helping oversee a major turnaround at the Emirates
And Brazilan’s fine work behind the scenes has landed him a major promotion, which will see him take a more hands-on role at the club – including at academy level.
Edu said of his new role: “I’m delighted to have this new role which I see as an evolution and consolidation of the way we’ve been working.
“We are making good progress in all areas of our men’s, women’s and academy and we are all excited about what can be achieved.
“I look forward to building on the hard work of so many people and helping all of us grow together and enjoy more success, and am thankful for the trust the club has put in me.
“We move forward together.”
Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham had no issue giving Edu more power at the club following the first team’s recent success on the pitch.
He said: “We are delighted that Edu is recommitting his future to the Club that he so clearly loves, after making such a positive and critical contribution to our progress in his time with us so far.
“Edu’s promotion formalises his already growing influence over our Academy operations.
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“And we look forward to Per [Mertesacker] and Edu working together to strengthen the integration between our men’s first-team and Academy yet further.”
Arsenal have undergone an incredible turnaround over the last 18 months.
A string of solid signings – in particular Martin Odegaard – have propelled the north Londoners to Premier League title contention.
The Gunners are currently on one of their best-ever starts to a season – winning 12, drawing and losing one of their first 14 league matches.
That form has put them at the top of the Premier League tree – which they lead by five points.
Edu’s tenure as technical director was questioned by Gunners fans during the Unai Emery era at the Emirates.
But his dealings off the pitch and aiding of Arteta in the transfer market has changed fans’ perceptions of him and given them renewed optimism.
Arsenal will resume their bid to win the Prem for the first time in 18 years with a Boxing Day clash with West Ham at the Emirates.
