Saha urges Fulham to back Arbeloa despite winless Premier League start

Louis Saha has urged Fulham to stand by head coach Alvaro Arbeloa rather than make a managerial change, with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after failing to win any of their opening six games. The former Fulham striker believes the results will turn and that pulling the trigger this early in the season would be a mistake.

Arbeloa, who replaced the popular Marco Silva in the summer, has faced mounting scrutiny over his side’s inability to convert promising performances into points. The pressure intensified last weekend when Ipswich came from a goal down to win 2-1 in stoppage time at Portman Road — a result that left Fulham without a point from a game they led.

“I’m not a fan of that, I don’t think they should be ready to press the panic button this early in the season,” Saha said. “We have seen close results and tight games that could’ve gone either way.”

Saha, who spent three and a half years at Craven Cottage, acknowledged that a transition period was inevitable given the change in management after four or five years of stability under Silva. Arbeloa’s only previous managerial experience came as interim coach at Real Madrid last season, and Saha believes he needs time to impose his methods.

“It’s normal to have a transition period when you change leagues and come to a club who had a good foundation for four or five years with one manager,” Saha said. “Fulham are a very difficult team to play against. I think that’s still the case, but they are getting punished.”

Thomas Frank has been linked with the Fulham vacancy, but Saha was dismissive of that speculation. “Thomas Frank is a good manager and I can only wish him to find the right club. But I’m not going to push for any club that I love to change managers when it’s not the right time.”

Despite his backing for Arbeloa, Saha was clear-eyed about what is required. “He has to turn things around very quickly. It’s a tough moment, but I have hope that they can turn it around.”

Fulham’s next opportunity comes at home to Hull City, before away fixtures at Coventry and Aston Villa and a home game against Newcastle ahead of the next international break.