Fulham are finalising a deal to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach on a three-year deal. The 43-year-old former Real Madrid coach will replace Marco Silva, who left Craven Cottage earlier this month.

What happened?

Fulham's talks with Arbeloa have covered a range of topics, including his backroom staff and first-team squad planning. The club's vice chairman and director of football operations, Tony Khan, had stated that there were two leading candidates for the role.

Why it matters for Fulham

Arbeloa's appointment will bring stability to the club after a turbulent period under Silva. The Spanish coach has experience in managing top-tier teams, having guided Real Madrid to the Champions League quarter-final stage last season. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Age | 43 | | Nationality | Spanish | | Previous Club | Real Madrid |

What comes next?

Fulham will face Chelsea in their first Premier League game of the season on August 24. Arbeloa will face his Madrid predecessor, Xabi Alonso, in the match. The west London side finished 11th in the 2025-26 Premier League under Silva. Arbeloa will look to improve the team's performance and bring success to Craven Cottage.