Alvaro Arbeloa to take over at Craven Cottage after Marco Silva’s departure
Fulham have appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach on a three-year contract, ending their search for Marco Silva’s successor after the Portuguese left to take charge of Benfica.
The Premier League club confirmed the former Real Madrid manager’s arrival on Tuesday and owner Shahid Khan described Arbeloa as the standout candidate following discussions in June. The 42-year-old becomes Fulham’s first new permanent head coach since Silva was appointed five years ago.
“Alvaro was an original candidate who built an exceptional case through our meetings in June to become our next Head Coach, and it quickly became quite clear that he was – and is – the right choice,” Khan said.
“I am delighted that Alvaro has accepted the challenge to push Fulham forward, and I have no doubt that our squad, staff and fans will resonate with what his appointment means for the present and future of our Club.”
Arbeloa arrives after a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid’s first team. He was promoted in January after Xabi Alonso’s dismissal, having previously worked with the club’s academy sides and Castilla. Madrid failed to win a trophy during the second half of the campaign, falling further behind Barcelona in La Liga and exiting the Copa del Rey and the Champions League before the end of the season.
The former Spain defender, who played in the Premier League with Liverpool and later West Ham United, now returns to English football in his first managerial role outside Spain.
“It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham, the oldest club in London,” Arbeloa said.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility and I’m deeply grateful to Mr Khan and Tony Khan for the trust they have placed in me with Fulham in the Premier League.
“I am really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at Craven Cottage with Fulham fans and beginning pre-season with the players next week. I am sure we are going to enjoy an incredible journey together.”
Arbeloa’s arrival follows the end of Silva’s successful five-year spell at Craven Cottage. The Portuguese guided Fulham back to the Premier League by winning the Championship and established the club as a stable top-flight side, overseeing finishes of 10th, 13th, 11th and 11th after promotion.
Silva has since returned to Portugal to replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica, while Mourinho has moved back to Real Madrid, filling the vacancy created by Arbeloa’s departure.
Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last season and Arbeloa’s first league match in charge will come against Chelsea on 24 August, where he is set to face his predecessor at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso.
