Fulham have entered talks with former Real Madrid interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa to replace Marco Silva, who quit after five seasons to join Benfica. Silva’s exit leaves the Cottagers searching for a fresh direction following an 11th‑place finish. Arbeloa, 43, spent his entire coaching career at Madrid, rising from youth sides to a senior interim role.

The club also explored hiring Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, but his release would have cost £8m, a price the board deemed excessive. McKenna subsequently stepped away, citing family reasons, leaving Arbeloa as the leading candidate. His playing résumé includes two spells at the Santiago Bernabéu and Premier League stints with Liverpool and West Ham.

If Arbeloa secures the job, Fulham will blend his Spanish tactical pedigree with a squad that narrowly missed European spots. The appointment could reshape training methods and recruitment, offering a clear alternative to Silva’s possession‑based approach. Fulham aim to build on their mid‑table stability rather than risk a turbulent transition.