Fulham appoint Álvaro Arbeloa as new head coach | OneFootball

Fulham have confirmed the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach, with the former Real Madrid manager signing a three-year contract at Craven Cottage.

The 43-year-old replaces Marco Silva, who left the west London club to take charge of Benfica after five years in charge of the Cottagers. Fulham had explored several candidates during their search, including Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna, before turning to the Spaniard.

Arbeloa arrives after a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid's first team. Initially promoted from the club's academy setup on an interim basis following Xabi Alonso's departure, he oversaw the final 28 matches of the season, guiding Los Blancos to a second-place finish in La Liga before their Champions League campaign ended in the quarter-finals.

The former Liverpool, West Ham and Real Madrid defender is no stranger to English football, having enjoyed successful spells in the Premier League during his playing career. Reports suggest his appointment was backed by strong recommendations from Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and José Mourinho, who recently returned to the Spanish giants.

Speaking to the club's media team, Arbeloa said: "It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham FC, the oldest club in London. 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 with Fulham in the Premier League.

"I am really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at Craven Cottage with Fulham fans and beginning pre-season with the players next week. I am sure we are going to enjoy an incredible journey together."