'Indications Edu's Forest exit may be looming'

It is fair to glean that Nottingham Forest's appointment of Edu as global head of football has not gone according to plan.

Such was the optimism that accompanied the executive's appointment last summer that no-one could have envisaged what was ahead.

Edu officially arrived in July, his appointment at the City Ground viewed as a major coup.

The Brazilian was key in Arsenal's re-emergence as a domestic and European force; in tandem with Mikel Arteta reconstructing a squad that – for so long – flattered to deceive.

Behind the scenes he was central to establishing an inclusive culture at the club. Speak to many who worked under Edu at Arsenal and they will tell you his work towards nurturing a connected workforce was his most important achievement at the north London club.

But Edu yearned for greater responsibility. He was excited by the idea of working under an international multi-club model; an objective that working under Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis' stable of teams – that also includes Olympiakos and Rio Ave – would allow.

Arsenal tried to keep Edu at the Emirates, but by the time the Gunners could assemble a package to keep the executive he was too far down the line with Forest.

Yet, fast forward nine months, things have not worked out as hoped.

The biggest indictment on Forest's season is their alarming slide towards relegation trouble.

The club are currently just two points clear of the relegation zone, a far cry from last season's push for Champions League qualification and eventual passage into the Europa League.

Then, of course, there's the managerial upheaval that has characterised their campaign.

Having started the season with Nuno Espirito Santo in charge, Forest's players are now working under their fourth manager of the season.

Nuno was sacked, largely owing to a breakdown in relations with Edu. Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche have also lost their jobs.

Vitor Pereira has been tasked with guiding Forest to top-flight survival, but he is yet to win a Premier League game since his appointment last month.

Given the club have spent close to £200m on new players since the summer, a recruitment path that Edu – given his remit – has been central too, it would be understandable if figures at the City Ground are underwhelmed by it all.

Forest appeared to be on the cusp of an exciting new era at the start of the season with Edu viewed as one of the key drivers on that journey.

His body of work at Forest is under the microscope.

There have been indications from sources that the 47-year-old has found himself under increasing internal scrutiny in recent weeks amid inidications an exit may be looming - though Forest insist there is no truth to those suggestions.

The implications of Forest's season remain to be seen, though history tells us Marinakis is not afraid to react in light of what he views as underachievement.

What looked to be the start of a blossoming relationship has turned into an episode that supporters fear could lead them into the Championship.