Arsenal has confirmed that Edu Gaspar has become the club’s first-ever Sporting Director.
Since the former Gunners midfielder joined the Emirates in 2019, their fortunes have dramatically improved. He currently serves as Technical Director.
Arsenal has decided to promote the Brazilian to Sporting Director given that the team is leading the Premier League after 14 games and is on track to return to Champions League play next season.
Official Statement
“We are thrilled to announce that Edu Gaspar has been appointed as Arsenal’s first-ever sporting director,” read an official statement from the club.
“With his promotion, Edu now controls all of our academy’s activities and his current duties in men’s and women’s football.”
“We are happy that Edu is recommitting his future to the club he loves. He made such a great contribution to our advancement thus far,” continued Gunner’s chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
“Edu’s promotion formalizes his already expanding influence over our academy operations. We look forward to working with (academy manager) Per Mertesacker and Edu to strengthen the integration between our men’s first team and the academy.”
We are delighted to announce that Edu Gaspar has been appointed as our first-ever Sporting Director.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 18, 2022
Edu: I am delighted to have this 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,” Edu said.
“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 accomplished.”
“I look forward to building on the effort of so many people. I’m grateful for the club’s confidence in me. I want to help all of us grow together and enjoy more success. We advance collectively.”
What does Edu’s new Arsenal promotion mean?
With Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah, three names particularly flourishing as homegrown talents. The Gunners already have several academy graduates in their first team.
Edu hopes to increase the number of young players in the first-team picture who were developed through the academy.
Edu worked closely with the first-team coaching staff and the academy and was heavily involved in player scouting and recruitment as technical director.
According to the announcement, Edu will become more involved with the club’s academy and collaborate with Per Mertesacker.
The 44-year-prior old’s duties, which include scouting and negotiating for potential moves, will remain unchanged. The promotion only entails additional engagement in the young setup.
The Mail said that at least two European teams had expressed interest in Edu. He is fast earning a reputation as one of the best football administrators.
Fabrizio Romano claims that more than two European clubs were showing interest in Edu and talking about him internally as a potential target for their clubs.
