Getty Images
Morning all.
Having been tenuously linked with a move to Nottingham Forest a number of months ago, a similar story resurfaced yesterday afternoon only this time, it’s true. Late afternoon, early evening yesterday, Arsenal Football Club announced Edu had resigned. Where he’s going has yet to be confirmed but most sports outlets, including The Athletic, report that he’s expected to take up a role working with the group of teams controlled by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. Personally, I don’t really care where he ends up because he’s done his bit and now it’s someone else’s responsibility to help take the club we all love to another level.
Of course there’s been much speculation over whether he’s jumped or been pushed but perhaps his decision really is about a taking on a new challenge. In the real world, people switch companies all the time throughout their working life so why should we expect Edu or any other Arsenal employee to stay put?
Players move, managers move, Edu has decided to move. This isn’t another David Dein moment in my opinion as that man had, and still has, Arsenal running through his veins, Edu has just been passing through. He played for Arsenal, left for free and then returned to help steady what was a sinking ship. He played his part in bring Mikel Arteta to the club and now he’s moving on to what he must consider to be better things. Better financially if he works for Marinakis. In some ways, one could suggest this is no different to when Arsenal players followed the money being offered by Man City.
Josh Kroenke,said:
We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward. Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone. Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.
Anyway, the “process” often talked about by Mikel Arteta, Edu and Josh Kroenke has taken a bit of a kick with Edu’s departure but as said yesterday, who replaces him is now more important.
I’m not entirely convinced that person needs to already have connections with the club, although it would good if he did, but he does need to be bloody good at his job. A brilliant transfer negotiator both on players coming into the club as well as those we sell. Preferably someone who knows what a strong, deep and balanced squad should look like because right now, Arsenal hasn’t got one despite a net spend of around £570 million since Edu returned to the club in 2019. That’s still between £200-£250 million less than Man Utd and Chelsea and just over £30 million more than Totts. Over five years, £570 million is not such a vast amount of money in footballing terms. But, I suppose the big question is, has that vast amount of money been spent well?
Over to you on that one.
Catch up in the comments…
Good morning Rico.
Well I just have to hold my hands up! I got it wrong, when I ruled out a move to the Marinakis group, Edu has gone and expects to double his money in his new job. Currently believed to earn £3 million a year, as prospective Chief Executive, he will reportedly be on an annual salary of £6 million. Nice work if you can get it. Marinakis owns Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Portuguese club Rio Ave while he is interested in the takeover of Italian club Monza.
As I said yesterday, the Kronkes need to find a replacement tout de suite.
Morning Cicero.
You and me both. When I read previously about Nottingham Forest links to Edu I thought there was no chance he’d go but as we often say, money talks.
Forest are currently in the top 4. 😝
Good post Rico, I feel quite calm about things because I have a lot of faith in Tim Lewis, a latter day Dein figure.
Lewis is a smart operator, he’s done what all smart operators do he’s surrounded himself with good people and he’s proactive, hence the return of James King with two years of experience working with the PFA and the contacts he’s made.
Then there’s Richard Garlick who also has those contacts after working for the Premier League.
So ignore the doomers and trolls, the club isn’t going to collapse just because Edu has doubled his money (good luck to him).
Our January plans were probably in place a year ago and the same will apply in the summer. New signings don’t come or came to Arsenal because of Edu alone, yeah he helped to facilitate but Arteta is the draw, along with the club itself and finance.
Our recent downturn in results has absolutely no connection to Edu leaving, why on earth would people think that? And we’re not on the cusp of selling our best players either ffs. 😄
So relax, have a glass of something or a cup of tea and enjoy the ride.
Yes Wavy, I missed all of fun yesterday, but I saw a really good film. 😉
Thanks Kev.
I’m not overly fussed about who leaves anymore, probably because I think change can be good. New ideas, especially in the transfer window where we’re still not getting things 100%. Obviously that’s not all down to Edu but nothing will ever compare to the day Dein left. That hurt Arsenal really bad but I don’t think Edu leaving will.
Good morning Rico and all
I am not that concerned about Edu leaving. He is an ex player who came back, did his bit and best and then money talked. If he had Arsenal in his veins he would have stayed no matter how much money they threw at him. He left and someone else will come in to do his job.
What concerns me is who will be appointed instead. Anyone can be a club cornerstone and anyone can be a migratory bird.
Time will tell.
I guess we won’t be signing any Brazilian players in future, thank goodness for that. 🤣🤣
I’m pleased for you Kev😊
Got very mixed feelings about Edu’s departure. Very glad he’s chasing mammon not so pleased we will no longer have his expertise. I think he’s a class act. He was on the field of play a very good footballer. Just another Brazilian who fell out with Wenger to the club’s detriment at the time. I leaving this time is just ‘business’.
Who will replace him? I’ve no idea but perhaps who ever it is they bring new ideas and elite personnel with them. It may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. We’ll see. I’m saddened by his departure but looking forward to the next chapter. Plus ça change…..
Morning Devil. Ditto.
As Josh said, change and evolution is part of football…
I’m saddened too Wavy but if his heart is no longer with our club then it’s best he’s gone.
Kev, the downturn in results is our usual blip… injuries and suspensions have contributed to that. Some players may be in the red zone with regards physical conditioning. Players coming back from injuries as well…. Timber has to be managed all the time for now especially after his season out.
It’s still early days in the league
Rumour and counter rumour abound on his final destination. It is not written in stone that should he join Marinakis that he will be based in England , it is more than possible that he will go back to family in Brazil but that is purely speculation .
So tonight it is Inter Milan and it will be interesting if the news about Edu will have any effect on the spirit of the squad after all he was instrumental in bringing many of them to the club.
Inter tomorrow Potter.
Like most, I can only thank him and wish him luck.
Hopefully now its out in the open that Edu is leaving, and if there was any friction between the board and Edu it’s now over, fingers crossed Arteta along with the players can now get our season back on track.
Inter next.
Right timing for Highbury House to replace Edu.
Odegaard’s back in training….