English Premier League side Fulham have officially named former Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The 43-year-old Spaniard, who was part of Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, has signed a three-year deal with the London-based club. Fulham expressed excitement over the appointment, describing Arbeloa as a valuable addition to the team’s leadership.
Arbeloa takes over from Marco Silva, who stepped down at the end of last season after guiding Fulham to an 11th-place finish in the league. Silva has since moved on to manage Portuguese giants Benfica. During his playing career, Arbeloa enjoyed significant success, particularly at Real Madrid, where he won the UEFA Champions League twice. He also has experience in English football, having previously played for Liverpool, which could prove beneficial in his new role.
However, his coaching stint at Real Madrid earlier this year was less successful. After taking over in January, his tenure saw the club suffer several setbacks, including an early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of second-tier side Albacete. Real Madrid also endured disappointing results in La Liga, ultimately falling out of the title race. Their struggles extended to Europe, where they were eliminated in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, marking a second consecutive season without major silverware for the Spanish giants.
Speaking after his appointment, Arbeloa expressed pride and determination, stating that it is an honour to lead Fulham, a club he described as historic. He also acknowledged the responsibility that comes with the role as he begins this new chapter in his managerial career.
