Fulham are considering a managerial change with Thomas Frank a leading candidate after a winless start under Alvaro Arbeloa. The club's hierarchy faces a critical decision following a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich that left them bottom of the Premier League standings on just two points from six games, having conceded 12 goals.

The key upcoming fixtures

Saturday's home fixture against Hull City and the following trip to Coventry are now seen as decisive for Arbeloa's immediate future. Hull, who currently sit eighth, will visit Craven Cottage this weekend.

Thomas Frank as a leading contender

Thomas Frank is understood to be firmly on Fulham's radar as a potential replacement should a change be made. The 52-year-old Dane has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in February and is described as a serious contender for the role. His appointment would be controversial, however, given his deep-rooted legacy at local rivals Brentford, where he guided the club to the Premier League and achieved two top-half finishes. "The former Brentford and Tottenham boss is firmly in the frame should results force Fulham into a change," it has been reported.

Other candidates and context

Another name under consideration is former Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna, who was high on the club's shortlist before Arbeloa's appointment last summer. Any new manager would need to be Premier League-ready, with a profile suited to developing younger players and a knowledge of European leagues. The decision is complicated by reported tensions between Arbeloa and some senior members of the squad, adding to the pressure on the club's leadership.

Frank's potential arrival would likely be met with trepidation by many Fulham supporters due to the historic rivalry, though he is also seen as a good fit for the club's structure. The Khan family, who own the club, are known to value a manager who is positive to deal with around the training ground. Fulham's recent form shows one win in their last five matches, a sequence that includes that costly late collapse at Portman Road.

The immediate focus returns to the pitch, where Fulham must find a way to stop the slide. Their next opportunity comes at home to Hull City on 17 October.

More detail at TALKSPORT