Fulham in Talks to Appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as Manager

Fulham are in talks to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as manager following the departure of Marco Silva. Silva spent five years in charge at Craven Cottage. He left to join Benfica after the Portuguese club lost Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.

Arbeloa, 43, managed 28 of Real Madrid's matches last season on an interim basis. He replaced Xabi Alonso, who is now incoming manager at Chelsea, midway through the campaign. The Bbc reported that Arbeloa is now a strong contender for the role in west London.

Sources close to the club have played down suggestions that talks are advanced at this stage. Arbeloa spent his entire coaching career at Real Madrid, progressing from youth teams to the interim first-team position. As a player, he had two spells at the Santiago Bernabeu and played in the Premier League for Liverpool and West Ham.

Fulham also held talks with Kieran McKenna. Releasing him from his contract at Ipswich Town would have cost £8m. McKenna has since left Ipswich, stating he wanted a break to spend time with his family.

Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last season.