Edu will spend the next six months on gardening leave, while assistant sporting director Jason Ayto will take up his role during the search for a full-time replacement.

The news comes after the announcement earlier in the week that Edu was to leave Arsenal to work with Evangelos Marinakis' multi-club group, which includes Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners are giving themselves a long window to replace their sporting director and are prepared to wait for the right candidate.

Despite his abrupt departure partway through the season, the feeling towards Edu is of gratitude after installing a robust structure that the club can now work with.

The Brazilian is known to be a friend of Marinakis, who values the esteem in which Edu is held by his peers.

The salary offered to him for his move, as reported by Sky Sports News, would mean only Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery earn more than him among Premier League managers.

The role itself, meanwhile, will see Edu act as the CEO of the group.

Arsenal will play most of their Women's Super League matches at the Emirates Stadium in the 2024-25 season.

The Emirates will be used as the Gunners' main ground, staging at least eight WSL matches and three Women's Champions League group games should they progress that far.

Jonas Eidevall's side will play the remainder of their games, including cup ties, at their long-standing home of Meadow Park.

Arsenal averaged an attendance of 52,029 - including two sell-outs and three WSL attendance records, across the six matches they played at the Emirates this term.

And the move has been championed by sporting director Edu.

"There's great passion for our women's team right across our club," he said. "We are one club, with a vision to win major trophies across our men's and women's teams.

"This move supports this ambition, and we can't wait to continue this amazing journey with our supporters."