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Fulham are reportedly finalising the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach on a three-year contract. The former Real Madrid manager is set to take charge at Craven Cottage following the departure of Marco Silva, with discussions already advanced regarding his coaching team and plans for the first-team squad.

The west London club have been actively searching for a new manager since Silva ended his five-year spell earlier this month to succeed Jose Mourinho at Benfica. As per The Athletic, Fulham’s hierarchy began talks with Arbeloa on June 10 before moving into advanced negotiations soon after. Although vice-chairman Tony Khan had previously confirmed that two main candidates were being considered, the club is now pushing ahead swiftly to complete the deal with their preferred choice.

Fulham’s sporting leadership is said to be fully in agreement with Arbeloa’s long-term vision for the club. Conversations have included detailed planning around his proposed coaching staff and player development strategy. If the multi-year agreement is finalised, this will represent only the second senior managerial post of the 43-year-old former defender’s career.

Arbeloa’s experience at Real Madrid could prove invaluable. He took over as head coach at the Bernabeu in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure, managing a team that was four points behind Barcelona, and ultimately finishing eight points adrift. During his four-month tenure, Madrid suffered a surprise Copa del Rey elimination to Albacete and exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. Despite the challenges, Arbeloa’s exposure to top-level European competition has strengthened his tactical credentials, making him an appealing successor to Silva, who successfully stabilised Fulham in the Premier League.

Once his appointment is confirmed, Arbeloa will immediately begin preparations for pre-season. His first test in English football will be demanding, as he aims to improve on Fulham’s back-to-back 11th-place finishes in the Premier League. Interestingly, his managerial debut in the competition could see him face his former Madrid colleague Alonso, now in charge of Chelsea, when the two sides meet in a local derby on August 24. The clash promises to be a compelling tactical battle for the former Liverpool and West Ham defender as he embarks on his third professional chapter in England.