Can Fulham sustain that stability? When Marco Silva took the helm in 2021, he steadied the club, keeping them competitive without ever flirting with relegation.
Silva’s summer exit for Benfica left Fulham betting on the untested, as they installed former defender Arbeloa as his successor.
The ex‑Liverpool and Real Madrid star stepped in with scant senior‑level experience, having only overseen Real Madrid briefly from January to May.
His tenure has been marred by conceding late, with opponents finding the net in the final fifteen minutes of four out of six league games.
Despite the setbacks, Arbeloa insists he’s the right choice and can shoulder the pressure to reverse fortunes. In my view, his confidence may mask deeper issues.
“You may not know me, but I played for the world’s best club and have coached its top side,” he declared.
“Pressure has been part of my life since childhood,” he added.
“It’s normal in football—for players, coaches and everyone surrounding a team,” he said.
“I thrive on pressure,” he affirmed. If he adapts quickly, Fulham could break into the league’s upper half next season.