Arbeloa has represented Liverpool and West Ham during his playing days in England’s top flight
Craven Cottage’s board have confirmed the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as their fresh managerial signing, committing him to a deal spanning three years.
The ex-Los Blancos head coach, who is 43 years of age, steps into the position previously held by Marco Silva following the Portuguese coach’s decision to accept an offer from Benfica.
The newly appointed manager expressed his pride at beginning this fresh chapter with Fulham, describing it as London’s most historic football club. He acknowledged the significant duty that comes with the role and thanked chairman Shahid Khan and vice-chairman Tony Khan for placing their confidence in him to lead the club in the Premier League.
Shahid Khan commented that Arbeloa had openly discussed his high aspirations. The chairman noted that Arbeloa has been exposed to elite-level footballers, organisations, and coaching techniques throughout his career, experiences that should benefit him greatly in his new position. Khan also mentioned Arbeloa’s enthusiasm for the club’s youth development programme and his commitment to providing opportunities for emerging talent. The chairman welcomed these perspectives alongside Arbeloa’s vision for an attacking style of play.
Arbeloa’s application received backing through endorsements from recently re-elected Real Madrid president Florentino Perez alongside the Spanish giants’ recently appointed head coach Jose Mourinho, under whom Arbeloa featured during his time at the Bernabeu.
The former defender departed Real Madrid upon conclusion of the previous campaign and was succeeded by Mourinho, who had departed Benfica. Silva subsequently chose to relocate to the Portuguese institution as Mourinho’s replacement despite receiving contract proposals from Fulham.
During remarks last month, Fulham’s vice-chairman revealed that Silva had previously signalled his intention to remain but subsequently altered his decision, departing Craven Cottage unexpectedly after five years of positive work.
Former Tottenham and Brentford manager Thomas Frank had emerged as a contender for the vacancy, while former Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna was considered prohibitively expensive at eight million pounds before accounting for salary and personnel expenditure.
Arbeloa had served in a youth coaching capacity in the Spanish capital prior to assuming interim managerial duties following Xabi Alonso’s January departure.
He oversaw the team for the concluding 28 matches of the campaign, guiding them to a second-place La Liga finish and a Champions League exit at the quarter-final hurdle against Bayern Munich.
Arbeloa intends to recruit several players, among them attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, defender Fran Garcia, and striker Gonzalo Garcia.