Former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has reportedly already fallen out with Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, causing major problems for the club.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Edu Gaspar attends the "All Or Nothing: Arsenal" Global Premiere at Islington Assembly Hall on August 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images
Daniel Taylor reports for The Athletic that Nuno Espirito Santo has had a “spectacular fallout” with Edu Gaspar behind the scenes at Nottingham Forest.
There were reportedly hostilities between Nuno and Edu from their very first meeting, and things have only got worse since then. There is an acceptance at Forest that the damage may already be irreparable, and Nuno has made his feelings on Edu clear to the man himself and others at the club.
Nuno has largely been the aggressor, according to the claims, with Edu staying away from the club’s training ground. But after two months of feuding, things seem to be reaching a boiling point.
Raheem Sterling signs for Arsenal with Edu Gaspar (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
In recent interview comments, Nuno said Forest had a “major problem” and talked about being “worried” at the club’s situation. Taylor reports that everyone at Forest knew those comments were directed towards Edu.
The manager then told a press conference this week that he’s “not so close” with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis anymore, which is apparently because Marinakis has aligned himself with Edu.
“I have always had a very good relationship with the owner,” Nuno said. “Last season was very, very close, (we spoke) almost on a daily basis. This season, not so well.
“Our relationship has changed. It’s not so close. It’s not on a daily basis. It’s not good, everyone at the club should be together but it’s not the reality.”
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Nottingham Forest, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Newcastle United FC at City Ground on November 10, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
There’s a sense that Nuno’s issues with Edu may be to do with the former Gunner’s close relationship with football agent Kia Joorabchian, whilst Nuno is represented by Jorge Mendes.
Forest Review reports that the summer signing of Douglas Luiz, one of Joorabchian’s clients, was against Nuno’s wishes.
It’s all a bit of a mess right now, and far from the ideal start to Edu’s spell with Nottingham Forest. Edu left Arsenal last winter, officially joining Forest this summer, though he’d done some informal work for Marinakis ahead of the window.
At the time of his departure, losing Edu seemed like a blow for the Gunners. But with replacement Andrea Berta settling in so well amid a crisis in Nottingham, that no longer feels like the case.
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