Who is James King? Arsenal director of football operations tipped to replace Edu after sudden exit

James King could be in line to replace Edu as Arsenal's next sporting director.

The Gunners confirmed the announcement on Monday that Edu, 46, had resigned from his post after five years at the club. The Brazilian, who played for Arsenal between 2001 and 2005, returned to north London as technical director in summer 2019 before being promoted to sporting director in November 2022.

"This was an incredibly hard decision to make," Edu said. "Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best."

Now, Arsenal have the task of finding a replacement for Edu and King has been tipped to be his successor after making the move back to the Emirates last month.

King first joined the Gunners in 2016 and he worked on commercial deals for the legal team before moving to their football operations department in 2018. King, who spent his final year at Arsenal as senior legal counsel for football operations, left the Gunners in 2022 to join the Professional Footballers' Association as general counsel.

But back in October it was confirmed that King would return to Arsenal as director of football operations, taking over the position left by Richard Garlick. King has experience of working with Arsenal's men’s, women's and academy teams from his previous time at the club.

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Less than two weeks into his new role, supporters are suggesting King could be set to step into Edu's position as sporting director, or continue in his current capacity and take on the responsibilities Edu is leaving behind.

Edu was responsible for implementing the football philosophy at Arsenal, managing the progress of academy graduates, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the first-team and leading the recruitment process to attempt to improve Mikel Arteta's side. There's not been any clear suggestion that King would be willing to step into the role, but it's one to keep a close eye on.