Arbeloa’s Fulham future comes under pressure

Álvaro Arbeloa’s future at Fulham is in the spotlight, with rumours suggesting the next two matches could weigh heavily on his position as manager. Fulham face Hull on Saturday and Coventry on the 24th. Hull are eighth, while Coventry are second from bottom, one point ahead of Fulham.

Arbeloa returned to the Premier League to manage Fulham last summer and was appointed on July 7. After the first five league games, his team are bottom with two points. The reported record is two draws and four defeats, with no wins. English media now describe the manager’s situation as critical.

Fulham are one point from safety, with Bournemouth occupying the place above the relegation zone. If the team fail to turn things around, Arbeloa’s continuation in the job is at risk. Although the Premier League has only just begun, two poor results could still seal the former Real Madrid coach’s fate.

The pressure follows Fulham’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town on Saturday. Arbeloa responded to the media: “Perhaps you don’t know me, but I’ve played for and managed the best team in the world.”

Before joining Fulham, his entire coaching career had been at Real Madrid, from the youth teams through to the first team, which he took charge of on January 13 after Xabi Alonso’s departure. As a player, he featured in the Premier League for Liverpool from 2007 to 2009, then West Ham from 2016 to 2017, where he ended his career.