Former Arsenal chief Edu finally SACKED by Nottingham Forest months after being told to stay away from the club

EDU GASPAR’S turbulent spell at Nottingham Forest is officially over after the former Arsenal star left the club. The Brazilian’s contract was terminated last week, bringing an abrupt end to his short-lived stint at the City Ground. Edu Gaspar has not been seen at any of the home games this season or at the training ground Credit: Alamy Edu was appointed in an ambitious move by Nottingahm Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Edu, who was part of Arsenal’s famous “Invincibles” side, has not been seen around the club since early this year when he was told to go on gardening leave. He has not attended a match since Forest’s Premier League clash with Liverpool on February 22. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Nor has he been present at the club’s training ground or stadium. Edu was appointed ahead of last season in an ambitious move which saw him tasked with overseeing all football-related functions, including recruitment, performance, squad strategy and player development. But his time at Forest ultimately proved a major disappointment. His relationship with then-manager Nuno Espírito Santo famously broke down, with the Portuguese boss sacked in September last year after just three games of the season. Edu was also understood to have played a role in Forest’s recruitment from South America, including the signing of Igor Jesus from Brazilian side Botafogo. He was involved in the £37.5million capture of winger Omari Hutchinson and the loan arrivals of Douglas Luiz and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS But three of those four players are no longer at the City Ground. Hutchinson joined AC Milan on loan shortly before the transfer deadline. Forest are not expected to make an official announcement over Edu’s departure. However, his name has now been removed from the “Who’s Who” section of the club’s official website. Edu is understood to have felt the role was not what he had envisaged when he took the job. He also accepts that he struggled to build relationships with key figures at the club, including owner Evangelos Marinakis. The Greek businessman remains in regular contact with long-serving Forest staff, including chief football officer George Syrianos. That structure has been an important part of Forest’s progress since their return to the Premier League. Omari Hutchinson arrived from Ipswich for big money but left this summer to AC Milan Credit: Alamy Edu also oversaw the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal but he’s since left the club too Credit: Alamy Marinakis also owns Olympiacos and Rio Ave, with experienced sporting directors operating at both clubs. Forest appointed a new chief executive last week, with Theodore Giannikos replacing Lina Souloukou, who left in June. The club currently sit 16th in the Premier League and face Aston Villa this weekend as they search for a first win under new head coach Oliver Glasner. Comment now