Fulham Set to Appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as New Manager Following Talks

Fulham is reportedly nearing the appointment of former Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach after evaluating several candidates for the position.

The club is currently without a manager following Marco Silva’s decision not to renew his contract. Silva ended his five-year tenure at Craven Cottage to take over at Portuguese club Benfica.

The vacancy at Benfica arose after Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid for a second stint, which followed Arbeloa’s departure.

Arbeloa, eager to return to management, has emerged as a leading candidate for the managerial role at Fulham.

© Imago / Craig Mercer.

Fulham Close to Confirming Arbeloa’s Appointment

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Fulham is on the brink of finalizing Arbeloa’s appointment after positive discussions. Although the deal is ‘almost done’, he was not the only candidate under consideration.

The Cottagers have reportedly engaged with various alternatives, including former Tottenham Hotspur managers Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank. Postecoglou is seeking his next managerial opportunity after being dismissed by Nottingham Forest in October 2025, while Frank is not ready to return to management after his exit from Spurs in February.

Additionally, Fulham reached out to Coventry City manager Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna, who recently parted ways with Ipswich Town. The club has also been linked with former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim and Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira, although Ferreira is hesitant to leave mid-season in Brazil.

Amorim has distanced himself from speculation connecting him with AC Milan.

© Imago / Pressinphoto.

Concerns Surrounding Arbeloa’s Capability

Some skepticism surrounds Arbeloa’s impending appointment given his challenging tenure at Real Madrid. He stepped up from managing Castilla in January to lead the senior team after Xabi Alonso’s departure.

During his time in charge, Real Madrid faced unexpected setbacks, including a surprising Copa del Rey defeat against second-tier Albacete, elimination in the Champions League quarter-finals, and finishing second to Barcelona in La Liga.

The atmosphere during Arbeloa’s reign was marred by discord within the squad, highlighted by a notable altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. However, it’s important to note that Arbeloa should not bear full responsibility for these issues or Real Madrid’s lack of silverware during that period.

The 43-year-old is expected to apply lessons learned from that experience and will likely appreciate managing a club with less media scrutiny than Real Madrid. At Fulham, he should have greater freedom to implement his strategies and may focus on integrating young talent into the squad—an approach he valued during his time coaching in Real Madrid’s youth system.

While taking over at Craven Cottage presents its challenges, it could ultimately prove a rewarding appointment for both Arbeloa and Fulham.