Three-year contract puts Álvaro Arbeloa in charge at Fulham

Fulham have appointed Álvaro Arbeloa as head coach on a three‑year deal that runs until the summer of 2029, following Marco Silva’s move to Benfica earlier this summer. The Spaniard will be based at Craven Cottage, keeping him at the Premier League club for the next three seasons.

Marco Silva departed after five years at Fulham, having guided the club back to the Premier League and establishing them as a consistent top‑flight side. His exit to Benfica opened the way for Arbeloa to take over the Fulham job.

Arbeloa arrives after a rapid rise through the coaching ranks at Real Madrid, where he progressed from the academy to the Castilla side before taking charge of the senior team during the second half of last season. The 43‑year‑old Spaniard’s ascent was marked by a clear football philosophy that convinced Fulham’s hierarchy.

He won a domestic and European treble with Real Madrid’s Under‑19 side, then earned promotion to Castilla before being handed the first‑team role after Xabi Alonso’s departure. In that brief spell he guided Madrid to second place in La Liga and a Champions League run that included eliminating Manchester City before falling to Bayern Munich in Munich.

As a player, Arbeloa enjoyed a decorated career with Liverpool, Real Madrid and the Spain national team. He lifted two Champions League trophies, a La Liga title, the FIFA World Cup, two European Championships and finished his playing days at West Ham United in 2017.

Alvaro said he was excited to begin a new chapter in English football. “It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham FC,” he said. “I feel a great sense of responsibility and I’m deeply grateful to Mr Khan and Tony Khan for the trust they have placed in me.”

Owner Shahid Khan described Arbeloa as the outstanding candidate for the role after a series of meetings throughout June. Khan praised the Spaniard’s ambition, attacking philosophy and commitment to youth development, believing he is the right coach to take Fulham forward.

Arbeloa’s competitive debut will come against Chelsea, managed by his former Real Madrid teammate Xabi Alonso, in the opening round of the new Premier League campaign.