Fulham are in advanced talks to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager, with vice-chairman Tony Khan revealing there are two leading candidates “in particular” to replace Marco Silva.
Silva left Craven Cottage earlier this month after five years to join Benfica, replacing Jose Mourinho, who was reappointed at Real Madrid. The Portuguese’s departure triggered a search that has now zeroed in on the 43-year-old Spaniard.
“Fulham close in on Alvaro Arbeloa as Marco Silva's successor, with two leading candidates in talks.”
Arbeloa spent his entire coaching career at Real Madrid, working his way up from the youth teams to the interim position last season. He managed 28 matches for the Bernabeu club after replacing Xabi Alonso — now Chelsea’s new boss — midway through the campaign. As a player, he represented Liverpool and West Ham in the Premier League.
Speaking to FFCtv, Khan said Fulham had expected Silva to sign a new deal to stay. But in the hunt for his successor, the American businessman added: “There have been a lot of names mentioned and it is interesting because it is going very well and there has been a few great conversations in particular. There have been people who we have been linked to, where it says they were the frontrunner or that there was conversations, that were people we have never talked to or never even had a conversation about.”
Khan confirmed the club have held multiple meetings with two favoured candidates. “There are two in particular who have had multiple meetings with the board and who we really like, but we are open to more conversations and talking to more people. We are working on that process right now.”
While Arbeloa is the lead contender, Fulham are also known to have held talks with Kieran McKenna. The Ipswich Town manager would have cost £8m to release from his contract but has since departed the club, saying he wanted a break to spend time with his family. Another name linked is Frank Lampard, the former England midfielder who led Coventry City back to the Premier League last season after winning the Championship title.
Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last season, missing out on a place in Europe by two points. Talks with Arbeloa continue, and while a full agreement has not been reached, the club are working towards the expectation that he will be their next boss.