The Brazilian was appointed in July 2025 as part of an ambitious restructuring plan by owner Evangelos Marinakis, with a remit that extended beyond Forest to cover football operations at Greek giants Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave. Tasked with creating a unified transfer strategy across all three clubs and building a sustainable long-term vision for Forest, Edu arrived with high expectations following his previous roles in football administration across Europe and South America.
However, the ambitious project quickly ran into difficulties, with the club’s summer transfer window spending – which totalled approximately £200 million – failing to deliver the desired impact on the pitch. A total of 18 new players joined the squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but only a handful have managed to establish themselves as regular starters. Key signings in attack and midfield struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, leaving the team with inconsistent attacking threat and defensive fragility.
Edu’s time at the club was also marred by tensions with the coaching staff, which played a significant role in the high turnover of managers this season. Former boss Nuno Espirito Santo departed in September 2025 after just six league games, with sources close to the club citing disagreements over transfer targets and tactical approach. His successor, Ange Postecoglou, lasted only three months before stepping down, followed by Sean Dyche who was in charge for just seven matches before being replaced by current manager Vitor Pereira last month.
Speaking on the decision, Forest chairman Evangelos Marinakis said: “While we appreciate Edu’s hard work and commitment during his time with us, and recognise the scale of the challenge he took on, we have reached the conclusion that a change in leadership is essential to give us the best possible chance of retaining our Premier League status. Our priority now is fully supporting Vitor Pereira and his team on the pitch, while we begin the process of identifying a new structure for our football operations.”
The timing of the dismissal comes at a critical stage of the season, with Forest currently sitting 17th in the Premier League table – just one place above the relegation zone and level on points with 18th-placed Luton Town, separated only by goal difference. With nine matches remaining, including tough fixtures against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, the club is under immense pressure to pick up vital points in the coming weeks.
In the interim, football operations will be managed by a senior team including club director of football Ross Wilson and technical advisor Frank McParland, who will oversee all decisions related to player recruitment and squad management until a permanent replacement for Edu is appointed. The club has stated that it will take a “careful and considered approach” to finding a new Head of Global Football, with a focus on candidates who have proven experience in Premier League football and a track record of building successful teams within sustainable budgets.
Reaction from Forest fans has been mixed, with some expressing frustration at the club’s recent decision-making and others calling for stability after a chaotic season off the pitch. The Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Trust released a statement saying: “We understand the difficult decisions that have to be made at this time, but we urge the club to act quickly and transparently to put the right structures in place. Our focus, like the club’s, is on keeping Forest in the Premier League, and we will continue to stand behind the team as they fight for survival.”
As the club looks to navigate the final weeks of the season and plan for the future, all attention will now turn to Pereira’s team and their ability to secure the results needed to avoid dropping into the Championship. A decision on Edu’s permanent replacement is expected to be made once the season concludes, with the club aiming to have a new leadership structure in place ahead of the 2026/27 transfer window.
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