Arbeloa takes Fulham job after turbulent Real Madrid spell ends trophyless

Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed Fulham head coach, the club confirmed, with the 43-year-old former Spain international taking charge at Craven Cottage after leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season.

Arbeloa succeeds Marco Silva, who opted to join Benfica rather than sign a new deal with the west London club. The appointment marks a return to the Premier League for Arbeloa, who spent two years at Liverpool during his playing career before finishing at West Ham.

“It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham FC, the oldest club in London,” Arbeloa 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. I am really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at Craven Cottage with Fulham fans and beginning pre-season with the players next week.”

Fulham co-owner Shahid Khan described Arbeloa as an “original candidate” who made a compelling case across meetings in June. “It quickly became quite clear that he was — and is — the right choice,” Khan said. “Alvaro is, by his own admission, very ambitious. He has spent quality time around the best players, clubs and methods in the game, experiences which will serve him well here at Fulham.”

Arbeloa arrives having navigated a turbulent final chapter at the Santiago Bernabéu. Promoted from his role as Real Madrid Castilla head coach following Xabi Alonso’s sacking in January, he oversaw a second consecutive trophyless season — a Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich and a LaLiga title conceded to Barcelona among the low points.

Off the pitch, the club fined midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni €500,000 (£432,000) each following a training-ground altercation. Kylian Mbappé was also reported to have been involved in an angry exchange with a coaching staff member during a training match, while defender Antonio Rüdiger reportedly apologised to the squad after a separate incident.

The appointment sets up an immediate reunion with his predecessor’s successor: Xabi Alonso, who has taken over at Fulham’s near neighbours Chelsea, will face Arbeloa in the opening Premier League fixture of the season at Craven Cottage on 24 August.