Pressure rising on Arsenal chief Edu with Mark Overmars lined up as his replacement
When Edu was brought in as Arsenal’s very first technical director two years ago, he was heralded as a man who understood the club and what they needed.
An ex-Gunners midfielder himself, his experience of the international football scene – after his work with Corinthians, the Iranian national team and as general co-ordinator of the Brazilian national side – seemed to suggest exactly the level of global knowledge and contacts needed to turn Arsenal around in a turbulent period.
Two years on, as the man responsible for recruitment, questions are being asked of the 41-year-old. It coincides with the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta, with the club out of Europe for the first time in 25 years and a poor start to the current campaign.
Since Edu’s arrival, Arsenal have spent more than £300million on players – but, crucially, recouped only around £80 million.
The expected loss of the former Chelsea player Willian back to his native Brazil with Corinthians on a free this week has highlighted the issue. The 33-year-old only signed last summer on an eye-watering £220,000-a-week, three-year deal.
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