Álvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as the new manager of Fulham, signing a three-year contract with the Premier League club. The move comes after Arbeloa was released by Real Madrid in early June following a challenging six-month period with the Spanish giants.
Arbeloa replaces Marco Silva, who has departed to manage Benfica. The former Spain international will be tasked with improving Fulham’s Premier League standing, having finished between 10th and 13th in the league for the past four seasons. This marks Arbeloa’s first managerial role since his time with Real Madrid.
The 2010 World Cup winner’s first match in charge will be a notable one, as Fulham are scheduled to host Chelsea on August 24th. This will pit Arbeloa against compatriot Xabi Alonso, who recently took the managerial position at Chelsea in January, creating an immediate and intriguing matchup for both managers.
Arbeloa enjoyed a distinguished playing career, primarily known for his versatility and defensive capabilities. He spent time at Real Madrid across two spells, also featuring for Liverpool and Newcastle United during his career. While primarily a player for Real Madrid, his experience in the Premier League with Liverpool and Newcastle may prove beneficial in his new role at Fulham. The appointment signals Fulham’s ambition to climb the Premier League table and establish themselves as a consistent top-half team.
In a separate development, Fulham have confirmed that Raúl Jiménez has departed the club as his contract has expired. This allows the club to further reshape the squad under Arbeloa’s leadership.
