Edu future remains unclear as Vitor is full of respect
HEAD coach Vitor Pereira has addressed the situation regarding global head of football Edu at Nottingham Forest.
Amid a tumultuous season on the banks of the Trent, the Brazilian’s position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks. Nothing has been announced by the club but official confirmation regarding a departure appears to be only a matter of time.
Edu’s arrival was considered something of a coup for the Reds when he was appointed last July. The former Arsenal sporting director was viewed as someone who could help Forest build on last term’s seventh-placed finish in the Premier League but it hasn’t quite worked out like that.
Pereira retains respect for Edu, having met the 47-year-old previously when he was a contender for the job of Gunners boss before Mikel Arteta picked up the reins. However, the pair have not had too much contact since the Portuguese took up the City Ground hot seat last month.
“The first meeting I had in the club was with Edu,” said Pereira, ahead of tonight’s Europa League last 16 home first leg clash with FC Midtjylland (8pm).
“I know him from Arsenal because I had a meeting with Arsenal some time ago, when he started there.
“I know him very well as a person and as a professional. In this short time, we didn’t have a lot of opportunities or time to be together.
“It’s not something I control, I don’t know the full information to speak about it. But this is someone I respect a lot as a person and a professional.”
When he came in, Edu’s remit was to work across owner Evangelos Marinakis’ umbrella of clubs, which includes Greek giants Olympiacos and Portuguese outfit Rio Ave as well as the Reds.
It was said his role would involve overseeing all football-related functions, including recruitment, performance, squad strategy and player development.
Talk about his future being in doubt first emerged in January. Questions started to be asked of his position amid Forest’s fight for Premier League survival and some criticism of the club’s transfer business.
Pereira is adamant the latest uncertainty has little bearing on what might happen in the future, however. For the former Wolverhampton Wanderers chief the focus is purely on the here and now.
“My focus is on the present, not the future,” he added.
“We don’t have time to think about the future because we don’t know about the future. The present for me is to focus on my team and try to help my players be the best team we can be, compete tomorrow and win the game.”