Fulham hold talks with Alvaro Arbeloa to replace manager Marco Silva
Fulham have opened negotiations with former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa to replace outgoing manager Marco Silva ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Portuguese tactician has chosen to end his five-year tenure at Craven Cottage to take charge of Benfica.
This managerial vacancy arose after the Lisbon giants lost Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid, triggering a reshuffle of head coaches across Europe.
Real Madrid pedigree
The 43-year-old Spaniard recently concluded a stint as interim boss at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He stepped into the senior dugout midway through last season to succeed Xabi Alonso, who subsequently accepted the Chelsea job.
While the former full-back has emerged as a prime candidate for the west London club, sources indicate that discussions remain at an early stage.
Premier League experience
Arbeloa is no stranger to English football following playing spells with both Liverpool and West Ham United.
However, his entire coaching journey to date has been spent within the Spanish capital.
He successfully progressed through the youth ranks before earning his recent taste of first-team management.
The Cottagers, who secured a respectable 11th-placed finish in the top flight last term, are eager to ensure a smooth dugout transition.
Alternative targets explored
Prior to approaching the former Spanish international, the club hierarchy held preliminary discussions with Kieran McKenna.
A potential move for the highly-rated coach stalled over an £8m release clause in his contract at Ipswich Town.
He has since departed Portman Road entirely, announcing his intention to take a sabbatical to spend time with his family.
