Nottingham Forest have told Edu Gaspar to stay away from the club just eight months after his arrival as global head of football at the City Ground, according to a report.
Former Arsenal chief Edu, 47, is on the brink of being sacked after being notified by the Premier League club not to visit either the training ground or stadium.
Edu was appointed by Forest last July after leaving Arsenal, where he played a key role in helping transform the club under Mikel Arteta.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis hired Edu to ‘oversee all football-related functions, including recruitment, performance, squad strategy and player development’, but it appears the Brazilian’s time at the City Ground is set to end after less than a season.
According to the Telegraph, Edu did not attend Forest’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Wednesday, marking a third game in a row he has missed.
Despite earning a crucial draw at the Etihad on Wednesday, Forest have found themselves in a relegation battle after a turbulent season, sitting in 17th place just a point above the drop zone.
Nottingham Forest have told Edu Gaspar to stay away from the club as he faces the sack
After a superb campaign last season under Nuno Espirito Santo, Marinakis was hoping to kick on and establish his team as a regular top-half club.
Edu oversaw Forest’s disappointing £200million spending spree last summer, which saw the club recruit the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye and James McAtee for hefty transfer fees.
No summer signing has really succeeded in hitting the ground running, while the departure of star winger Anthony Elanga to Newcastle has proved costly.
During Edu’s first two transfer windows at the City Ground, Forest have also missed out on a handful of key targets such as Yoane Wissa, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Despite finishing seventh and ultimately qualifying for the Europa League after FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were demoted to the Conference League, Forest struggled for early form and axed the Portuguese before sacking new boss Ange Postecoglou just weeks later.
Sean Dyche was appointed in October but became Forest’s third managerial casualty of the season in February, with former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira subsequently taking over and tasked with keeping the Midlands club afloat.
More to follow.
