Fulham have put their future in the Premier League at risk after the arrival of Álvaro Arbeloa as coach on July 8. The former Spanish defender signed a contract with the London club until 2029, but in just three and a half months the situation has become unsustainable, according to “The Telegraph”. The results have been disastrous: after six rounds the team occupies the last position, with only two points and no victories, and the pressure on the coach intensifies as two crucial games against the newly promoted Hull City and Coventry City approach. If Arbeloa fails to triumph in both matches, the probability of him being fired increases significantly.
The problem, according to the media, lies in Arbeloa's difficulty in imposing a more offensive style of play and in convincing the players of the new philosophy. Recent signings, such as Gonzalo García, César Palacios and Manuel Ángel, have been criticized for their lack of experience at the top level, which has generated discontent within the locker room. Additionally, summer training under the new coach has been described as “significantly inferior” to that of his predecessor, which has contributed to the squad's lack of motivation and performance.
The Salamanca coach has also been the subject of controversy for his behavior in press conferences. After critical comments questioning the referees' performance in a match against Manchester United, the FA fined him. His arrogant attitude and public statements have generated more controversy, affecting the club's image and the perception of fans.
Fulham faces a decisive moment. The matches against Hull City and Coventry City are the opportunity to reverse the negative trend and show that Arbeloa's work can bear fruit. If the team manages to win at least one of the games, it could consolidate the coach's position and avoid a dismissal. Otherwise, the club will have to take drastic measures and look for an alternative that can restore competitiveness to the team. The future of Fulham and Arbeloa's stay in office depend on the results of these two games in the coming weeks.