OFFICIAL: Arbeloa Appointed Fulham Head Coach

[v]

The BBC report ends with this:

"Arbeloa is keen to bring players with him, including attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, full-back Fran Garcia and forward Gonzalo Garcia."

Now when Arbeloa's name was first floated, it was said that he might be able to bring with him some Real academy prospects. Sounded as if he might hijack some promising kids who might or might not make it in our u18s.

The guys mentioned above are not kids. All three are full internationals, Fran Garcia is 26. All would be excellent additions to our squad. Gonzalo Garcia might be the goalscorer we desperately need and, as has been said, Mastantuono is a widely coveted prospect as an attacking midfielder. It would, surely cost £50+million to bring them to CC.

Yes, I believe Gonzalo Garcia is a forward - which might solve that problem. It all depends if they can be persuaded.

Mastantuono is highly regarded and would be quite a coup for a club like Fulham. Though if we're looking on the bright side Como in Serie A have just permanently signed Nico Paz (another Real Madrid Argentinian prodigy) after his stint at the club last season, so not impossible.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/revealed-fulham-raid-real-madrid-101948301.html

[C Block]

My hope (and I won't hold my breath) is that Fulham supporters award Arbeloa the same level of patience that Bournemouth supporters awarded to Iraola, if you're not aware he started at Bournemouth with one win in Ten !!!
And look how that turned out.

[WindyCity]

My hope (and I won't hold my breath) is that Fulham supporters award Arbeloa the same level of patience that Bournemouth supporters awarded to Iraola, if you're not aware he started at Bournemouth with one win in Ten !!!
And look how that turned out.

Agree with your post, sure, things turned out favorable.  My primary hope is that new coach can add/build team to a position where relegation is not an issue or concern.  Would really not like to see a drop.  Patience notwithstanding.......

[JimmyConway]

My hope (and I won't hold my breath) is that Fulham supporters award Arbeloa the same level of patience that Bournemouth supporters awarded to Iraola, if you're not aware he started at Bournemouth with one win in Ten !!!
And look how that turned out.

I'm sure they will if there is a substance to his style of play. If not you can never underestimate the knowledge of a football supporter when it comes to knowing their onions whether that's half a dozen or a bakers dozen of games.

[Jim©]

new coach can add/build team to a position where relegation is not an issue

Well we've had that the last 3 seasons and fans have clamoured for more. There's no pleasing some.
Me, I like the appointment, i don't mind the gamble, I'd just love us to win something, anything.

 

[v]

My hope (and I won't hold my breath) is that Fulham supporters award Arbeloa the same level of patience that Bournemouth supporters awarded to Iraola, if you're not aware he started at Bournemouth with one win in Ten !!!
And look how that turned out.

Yes, good point.

He's coming into the job with no management experience of the PL or English football (though he has played here) and little management experience at Spanish senior League level either.

We've got to be patient or else it'll be Parker by Christmas ! 😱

[LittleErn]

My hope (and I won't hold my breath) is that Fulham supporters award Arbeloa the same level of patience that Bournemouth supporters awarded to Iraola, if you're not aware he started at Bournemouth with one win in Ten !!!
And look how that turned out.

I'm sure they will if there is a substance to his style of play. If not you can never underestimate the knowledge of a football supporter when it comes to knowing their onions whether that's half a dozen or a bakers dozen of games.

As long as we get the occasional "score" we will be satisfied!

[LittleErn]

As long as our football is entertaining and exciting I will be patient. Hopefully the results will follow.

[Fulham 1879]

Hopefully, with a tough set of opening fixtures, he'll be given a fair crack and that fans will recognise that, without Raul and Wilson, we are probably going to be about the fifth weakest team in the division without some serious transfer activity. I'm encouraged by his reputed desire to play a high intensity, pressing game with more vertical passing. We don't have the midfield for that, bar Lukic possibly,but Arbeloa will presumably have a say in transfers.

[SerbianLad]

Hopefully, with a tough set of opening fixtures, he'll be given a fair crack and that fans will recognise that, without Raul and Wilson, we are probably going to be about the fifth weakest team in the division without some serious transfer activity. I'm encouraged by his reputed desire to play a high intensity, pressing game with more vertical passing. We don't have the midfield for that, bar Lukic possibly,but Arbeloa will presumably have a say in transfers.

His style should suit Lukic perfectly and would have suited AP too. He likes to press a lot and that's Lukic's strength. Sander will have to adapt to that more than other midfielders or Arbeloa will have to adapt his style to suit Berge more.

[JimmyConway]

Hopefully, with a tough set of opening fixtures, he'll be given a fair crack and that fans will recognise that, without Raul and Wilson, we are probably going to be about the fifth weakest team in the division without some serious transfer activity. I'm encouraged by his reputed desire to play a high intensity, pressing game with more vertical passing. We don't have the midfield for that, bar Lukic possibly,but Arbeloa will presumably have a say in transfers.

His style should suit Lukic perfectly and would have suited AP too. He likes to press a lot and that's Lukic's strength. Sander will have to adapt to that more than other midfielders or Arbeloa will have to adapt his style to suit Berge more.

If Arbeloa as you say strength is to play the press why on earth would he need to adapt to Berge style of play? Would that not show a weakness in his philosophy?

[DadCreature]

Interested to know what discussions he had with TK and club management about transfers and budget.  If he says he wants to bring a trio and very expensive players with him . . . was that already baked into his agreement to come here?

[SerbianLad]

Hopefully, with a tough set of opening fixtures, he'll be given a fair crack and that fans will recognise that, without Raul and Wilson, we are probably going to be about the fifth weakest team in the division without some serious transfer activity. I'm encouraged by his reputed desire to play a high intensity, pressing game with more vertical passing. We don't have the midfield for that, bar Lukic possibly,but Arbeloa will presumably have a say in transfers.

His style should suit Lukic perfectly and would have suited AP too. He likes to press a lot and that's Lukic's strength. Sander will have to adapt to that more than other midfielders or Arbeloa will have to adapt his style to suit Berge more.

If Arbeloa as you say strength is to play the press why on earth would he need to adapt to Berge style of play? Would that not show a weakness in his philosophy?

You should never be completely rigid in your ways. It's what ultimately cost Postecoglou and Amorim their jobs. They wanted to play the exact style they used at their previous clubs, and it didn't suit their players. Luis Enrique for example altered his playstyle slightly and his PSG side plays differently than his Barcelona style.

You always have three options, either a player not suited to the style coaches want to play is able to adapt to the style coach wants to play, the coach adapts his stlye to suit the player or the third and final option, coach sells that player and buys a player that is more suited for his style of play.

[Yamus]

All we need now is a DOF who understands football lives in this country and comes to our matches, Alan Pardew for me.

[alfie]

All we need now is a DOF who understands football lives in this country and comes to our matches, Alan Pardew for me.

Do you really think that after being here for over 15 years that TK doesn't know anything about football.

[Deuce]

All we need now is a DOF who understands football lives in this country and comes to our matches, Alan Pardew for me.

Do you really think that after being here for over 15 years that TK doesn't know anything about football.

Why not? Ive been here since 2012 and I havent got a clue about the game

[FFC007]

All we need now is a DOF who understands football lives in this country and comes to our matches, Alan Pardew for me.

Do you really think that after being here for over 15 years that TK doesn't know anything about football.

He didn't start well when he got in Magath...

[demeant0r]

All we need now is a DOF who understands football lives in this country and comes to our matches, Alan Pardew for me.

Do you really think that after being here for over 15 years that TK doesn't know anything about football.

Why not? Ive been here since 2012 and I havent got a clue about the game

To be fair, I've been watching football for close to 30 years and I am still no closer to understand what constitutes a foul 🤣

[Whitestone]

All we need now is a DOF who understands football lives in this country and comes to our matches, Alan Pardew for me.

Do you really think that after being here for over 15 years that TK doesn't know anything about football.

Not enough to hold the position of DOF. We all know enough about football but I doubt there's anyone on here that has the skill set to be DOF at Fulham. Apologies if I've misjudged the audience.

[Yamus]

I don't think that he's not that interested to be honest and that he does just enough to keep his father happy