Alvaro Arbeloa is appointed as Fulham’s new head coach on a three-year contract

Fulham have hired Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach, with the Spaniard signing a three-year deal at the west London outfit.

The Cottagers have been on the hunt for a new figurehead ever since Marco Silva left to join Portuguese giants Benfica.

The 43-year-old, who will take charge of his first training session on Monday, had a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid this season, replacing his former Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso, but left once it concluded – with Jose Mourinho succeeding him.

Arbeloa the manager has Premier League experience as a player, having played three with Liverpool between 2006-09 and one at West Ham where he retired in 2016-17.

Speaking about his new challenge at Fulham, it’s one Arbeloa is relishing.

‘It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham, the oldest club in London,’ he told the club’s website.

‘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!’

Arbeloa’s first game in charge will come against Chelsea, who Alonso is now in charge of, on August 24.