Fulham closing in on Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach with three-year deal

Fulham are in the process of finalising an agreement to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach, with a proposed three-year contract for the Spaniard and his staff, according to sources. However, the club maintains that two candidates remain in contention for the role.

Arbeloa emerges as frontrunner

The former Real Madrid and Liverpool defender, who has been working as a youth coach at Real Madrid, has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Marco Silva at Craven Cottage. Silva left Fulham earlier this month to take over as head coach of Portuguese giants Benfica, prompting the west London club to launch a search for his successor.

Three-year deal proposed

The proposed contract would run for three years, covering Arbeloa and his backroom staff, though final decisions are still pending. The Athletic, which first reported the story, noted that Fulham are in the advanced stages of negotiations with the 41-year-old.

Two candidates still in the race

Despite the progress in talks with Arbeloa, Fulham officials have insisted that two candidates remain under consideration, suggesting the process has not yet reached a definitive conclusion. The identity of the other candidate has not been disclosed.

Arbeloa, who won multiple La Liga and Champions League titles with Real Madrid, has no prior experience as a first-team head coach. His appointment would represent a significant step up from his current role overseeing youth development at the Spanish club.

Fulham's search for a new head coach began after Silva's departure, which was confirmed on August 2. The Portuguese manager had led Fulham to a 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season, their highest since returning to the top flight.