First words from Alvaro Arbeloa on becoming Fulham’s new head coach

We check out the first words from Alvaro Arbeloa on becoming Fulham’s new head coach, joining on a three year deal.

He comes in following the departure of Marco Silva, who left the club after five years in charge, taking charge of Benfica.

According to Nizaar Kinsella, Arbeloa is also keen on bringing attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono (loan), full-back Fran Garcia and forward Gonzalo Garcia (permanents) with him.

Welcome to Fulham, Álvaro Arbeloa. 🤍

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) July 7, 2026

Arbeloa began his coaching career when he returned to Real Madrid in September 2020, appointed manager of the under-14 side, and worked his way up in years gone by.

In May 2025, replaced Raul at Castilla and then promoted to the first team in January 2026, after Xabi Alonso left.

Arbeloa guided Real Madrid to the Champions League quarter-finals and finished 2nd in LaLiga.

He then announced the decision to step down at the end of the season, leaving on the 9th of June 2026, now he’s ready to manage in the Premier League.

Exclusive: Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa keen on bringing attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono (loan), full-back Fran Garcia and forward Gonzalo Garcia (permanents) with him. It follows late night three year deal. https://t.co/aEK9AE8z7J

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) July 8, 2026

A statement on their website read: “The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as the new Head Coach of Fulham.

“The 43-year-old has agreed a three-year deal, tying him to Craven Cottage until the summer of 2029.

“Following a trophy-laden playing career, Arbeloa’s coaching journey has been forged at arguably the biggest side in the world, starting with Real Madrid’s youth sides before taking charge of the senior team last season.”

Álvaro Arbeloa: “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.

“I 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.

“Come on Fulham!”

Shahid Khan: “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.

“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.”

Tony Khan: “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! Come on Fulham!

ARBELOA’S CAREER:

Youth career
1995–2001 – Zaragoza
2001–2002 – Real Madrid

Senior
2002–2003 – Real Madrid C – 16 games
2003–2006 – Real Madrid B – 84 games
2004–2005 – Real Madrid – 4 games
2006–2007 – Deportivo La Coruña – 20 games
2007–2009 – Liverpool – 98 games
2009–2016 – Real Madrid – 233 games
2016–2017 – West Ham United – 4 games
Total – 459 games

International career
2001 – Spain U17 – 1 game
2001 – Spain U19 – 4 games
2005 – Spain U21 – 1 game
2008–2013 – Spain – 56 games

Managerial career
2020–2025 – Real Madrid (youth)
2025–2026 – Real Madrid B
2026 – Real Madrid

Here’s how fans reacted after checking out the first words from Alvaro Arbeloa on becoming Fulham’s new head coach…

@FFCJoe: Conspiracy theories over – welcome Alvaro, lets hope we can achieve great things

@fulham_mike1: Good luck gaffer, get your head down and put the hours in on the training pitch and you’ll be a hero in these parts

@18DayzLoco: Tony I beg you start thinking about the fans and the club more from a footballing point of view rather than fully financially, especially this window, give Arbeloa the cash and the players he wants shun. COME ON FULHAM 🤍🖤

@FFC_Fan12: Potentially a very shrewd appointment but we need to change our transfer approach and back him from the get go!

@FulhamTransfer: One of the first things youth driven Arbeloa needs to try and do is convince Sam Amissah that there is a pathway for him at Fulham. So many great talents in the youth squad. Amissah, Ridgeon, Wahid, Casey, Zepa & many more should get a real shot in the arm from this appointment. Opportunity knocks. ⚫⚪ #FFC

@MJ_Smithy: Every and any @FulhamFC manager has my full support! Never booed the team off and never called for a manager to be sacked. I will support Alvaro Arbeloa in exactly the same way I supported Marco and all FFC managers going back to Malcom Macdonald!!! But this appointment doesn’t excite me and concerns me greatly! Managing @FulhamFC in the PL is an amazing job and I would have excepted amazing candidates, but did we really see them?! Poch, Martinez, Ange, Frank, Glasner all never got close and why???? #ithinkweknow

@tomhwilliams23:
Marco Silva – Fulham to Benfica
Jose Mourinho – Benfica to Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa – Real Madrid to Fulham
Some managerial merry go round that

@mattwall88: Saving money with late window signings won’t work with a new coach. Sign early and set AA up well. Don’t nickel & dime, Tony.

@mbffc: So nice to feel excited about the Fulham once again. A change in identity was desperately needed. ¡Bienvenido, Álvaro!

@JrVaide: Only we could take 2 months to finalise a deal and then announce it on a random Tuesday at 11:4p5m

@TBTee1: I’m really hoping that the delay, aside from work permits, has been AA making sure he has assurances about timing of signings and budget. Not confident but hopeful. Would he have contacted Silva for a chat??