Thomas Frank emerges as leading candidate to replace struggling Arbeloa at Fulham

Thomas Frank is the leading candidate to become Fulham’s next manager, according to talkSPORT, as the west London club look to replace Alvaro Arbeloa following a dismal start to the Premier League season.

Fulham have failed to win any of their opening six fixtures under Arbeloa, and their situation worsened further this weekend when they surrendered a winning position against Ipswich Town, conceding in the 88th minute to leave them rooted to the foot of the table. The result piled further pressure on the Spaniard, whose response to questions about his job security did little to ease tensions with supporters. “Maybe you don’t know me but I played for the best team in the world: I have coached the best team in the world,” Arbeloa said, referencing his two spells at Real Madrid as a player and his 28-match stint in charge of Los Blancos last season following the sacking of Xabi Alonso.

Frank, 53, has been without a club since leaving Tottenham Hotspur, where his tenure ended in a relegation battle after he had swapped Brentford for Spurs in 2025. During the intervening period he has worked as a pundit on BBC’s World Cup coverage.

The prospect of Frank taking charge at Craven Cottage carries a significant subplot. The Dane is widely regarded as a legend at Brentford, having guided the club out of the Championship via the play-offs in 2021 and establishing them as a stable Premier League outfit. Managing their west London rivals, however, could test that goodwill considerably.

The crossover between the two clubs has been limited in recent seasons, though Fabio Carvalho — a Fulham academy product — became a notable example of a player whose standing at Craven Cottage suffered after he joined Frank at Brentford. Reiss Nelson is the most recent player to represent both sides, having spent loan spells at each club in successive seasons.

Fulham’s next fixture sees them host Hull City at Craven Cottage, the second of three consecutive matches against promoted sides.