Fulham Appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as Head Coach on 3-Year Deal

Fulham have appointed former Spain international Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach on a three-year contract running until 2029, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old succeeds Portuguese manager Marco Silva, who left Craven Cottage after five years in charge to take over at Benfica.

"It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham," Arbeloa said in a club statement.

"I am really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at Craven Cottage with Fulham fans and beginning pre-season with the players next week."

The appointment marks Arbeloa's first managerial role outside Spain. He arrives from Real Madrid, where he was promoted from the club's reserve team to replace fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso as first-team coach in January, leading Los Blancos to a runners-up finish in La Liga.

Arbeloa returns to English football after previously playing for Liverpool and West Ham United during his distinguished playing career. He also won two UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and was part of Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup-winning squad.

Fulham owner and chairman Shahid Khan welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence that Arbeloa's experience at the highest level of football would help drive the club forward.

"I am delighted that Alvaro has accepted the challenge to push Fulham forward, and I have no doubt that our squad, staff and fans will resonate with what his appointment means for the present and future of our club," Khan said.

"Alvaro is, by his own admission, very ambitious. He has spent quality time around the best players, clubs and methods in the game, experiences which will serve him well here at Fulham."

Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last season and will begin the new campaign with a home London derby against Chelsea on August 24.