Fulham have appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as Head Coach on a three-year contract until June 2029.
Arbeloa’s arrival marks his first proper official permanent managerial appointment as a manager, having took interim charge of his former playing club – Real Madrid between January to May 2026 following the departure of his former teammate and now Chelsea boss, Xabi Alonso.
During his interim spell at the Galacticos, Arbeloa oversaw a second-placed finish in Spain’s La Liga plus a run to the Champions League Quarter-Finals, having began his tenure with a shock Copa del Rey fourth-round exit away to second-tier Albacete.
In his first interview with FFCtv following confirmation that he has joined on a three-year contract until June 2029, Arbeloa spoke of his excitement at taking up a new chapter in his managerial career.
“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.
2I 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.”
Owner and Chairman, Shadid Khan explained that Arbeloa is “an original” manager who he believes is the ideal name to build on Marco Silva’s foundations.
“Álvaro was an original candidate who built an exceptional case through our meetings in June to become our next Head Coach, and it quickly became quite clear that he was – and is – the right choice.
“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 added that Arbeloa has ambitions after spending years around top players and clubs which can only benefit Fulham and their academy in terms of promoting young talent through into the senior squad.
“Álvaro 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.
“Álvaro also has great interest in our Academy set-up and believes in giving young players a chance. I loved hearing that from Álvaro, as well as his intent on playing attacking football. All of this and a lot more makes Álvaro Arbeloa an ideal fit to lead Fulham Football Club into the upcoming Premier League season and beyond.”
Vice-Chairman and Director of Football Operations, Tony Khan added: “I’m thrilled to welcome Álvaro Arbeloa as Fulham’s Head Coach!
“Álvaro is highly intelligent with a profound knowledge of the sport, a very strong work ethic, and he is determined to succeed at Fulham. I’m excited and looking forward to a bright future for the Club under Álvaro’s tremendous leadership! ”
Arbeloa will competitively begin his reign in charge of Fulham in a home match against Alonso’s Chelsea on Monday 24 August at 8pm BST in a West London derby, before his first away match is scheduled to be at Sunderland on the August Bank Holiday weekend of 29-31 August.
The 43 year-old manager began his playing career at Real Madrid where he graduated through their academy before he spent time at Deportivo then Liverpool between 2006 and 2009, prior to a return to Real Madrid where he won eight titles across multiple competitions.
Four of those titles came in Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League – having won twice in both competitions, alongside single titles in La Liga, Supercopa de Espana, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup competitions
He ended his playing career at West Ham in the 2016-17 season where he only made four appearances in total for the Hammers.
At international level, Arbeloa made 56 senior appearances for Spain and was part of the squad which won the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in-between successive UEFA Euro titles at 2008 & 12 editions.
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