OFFICIAL: Arbeloa Appointed Fulham Head Coach

[KentFulham]

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?

Exactly! Change Berge out if he does not fit

[kiwian]

I for one am looking forward to this one. I really hope he mixes the system up and brings in some new players. We were board to death by Parkerball, Silva brought us Parkerball v2. I want something exciting to watch please

And no Leno standing on the ball in the first few minutes of a game!

[Yamus]

Could he be the next Jean Tigana,Yes please

[Andrew]

sometimes things look right for instance when micky adams took over, first game we started with him we could all see the difference and I confidently predicted we would go up the next season, the same with macdonald...they were a breath of fresh air.

Silva was also obviously going to be be top class from day one but usually it isn't like that. Circumstances can work against a manager especially if the squad isn't properly assembled. What I do hope is that we quickly see a positive direction of travel and that even if results do not start well we at least can see some method.

I have read in other places lots of good stuff about the new man but Fulham is and has always been an odd place, not like anywhere else, so let us hope he fits in and is a phenomenal success!

[Bronaldinho]

sometimes things look right for instance when micky adams took over, first game we started with him we could all see the difference and I confidently predicted we would go up the next season, the same with macdonald...they were a breath of fresh air.

Silva was also obviously going to be be top class from day one but usually it isn't like that. Circumstances can work against a manager especially if the squad isn't properly assembled. What I do hope is that we quickly see a positive direction of travel and that even if results do not start well we at least can see some method.

I have read in other places lots of good stuff about the new man but Fulham is and has always been an odd place, not like anywhere else, so let us hope he fits in and is a phenomenal success!

Good news is he should get a full pre-season with the current squad.

Let's hope the transfer targets come in earlier than previous years and we can help them bed in.

[hovewhite]

Great to see positive comments and i think the same.
Welcome Alvero to FFC.

[KentFulham]

Also I would hope AA doesnt take the same approach as Silva in terms of new signings taking weeks to make any appearance.

[Deuce]

Could he be the next Jean Tigana,Yes please

Or the next Lawrie Sanchez

[FFC007]

Could he be the next Jean Tigana,Yes please

Or the next Lawrie Sanchez

Or Magath...

[ElRay]

It's an ambitious appointment and I really hope he does well, but more than anything, I hope the club are committed to giving him time.

I don't think the changes will be limited to the 1st team, with Arbeloa bringing in young Spanish talent. If he's genuinely invested in youth development and giving young players opportunities, then it's likely he'll begin to change the culture of the club from within. That could mean reshaping the kind of players the youth sides recruit, as well as the style of football they are expected to play.

That's why the club need to fully buy into his vision. If this is meant to be a long term project, then they have to accept that it might come with short term pain, whether that's a relegation battle(maybe even relegation), very low bottom-half finishes, or results that take time to improve. In the long run, that could still be more beneficial than constantly chopping and changing just to survive.

Because if things start poorly and the club panic by sacking him early, they could leave themselves in a really sticky situation. You could have youth players promoted to the first team, only to be sent back down a few months later and have their development disrupted. Players could be signed specifically for his project, only to be left without the manager they joined for. At that point, some of them could already be looking for a way out after only a few months.

Ultimately, the club need to decide what they actually want to be. Either they are committed to changing the long term future of the club, even if that comes with risk, or they are happy being a steady mid-table side that relies on experienced coaches and experienced players to keep things ticking over.

You can't appoint a project manager and then lose your nerve early doors.

[Yamus]

Well that elation was short lived

[Chi_FFC]

Didn't want to start a new thread for this so this seems like the best place to put this. Rutzler reporting that Hugo Oliveira is the leading candidate to replace Gary O'Neil at Strasbourg and that he had been "in contention" for the Fulham job.
https://x.com/peterrutzler/status/2075393697534087218?s=20

[WindyCity]

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

As long as our football produces results, I will be patient and hopeful our football is entertaining and exciting.

[Bassey the warrior]

Welcome Alvaro. An exciting appointment but also a risky one. Let's hope he does what's promised, integrating more academy players and improving the attack. Whilst keeping things tight at the back of course.

We'll need to give him time, it took 10 games for Iraola to get his first Bournemouth win.

Glad to see I inspired a few others to make the Iraola comparison after my post.

[WindyCity]

Above all else, I hope our new coach encourages, implores, insists that the lads shoot the ball more frequently, whether close in on tough angles or from distance, just have a go....Please!!!!

Example 1:  Bobb has looked good in his WC shows.  Against England, very early in his appearance he had found himself in the box, close in, and chose to try a pass through multiple defenders to get the ball to the ponytail, which obviously failed.  Looked like he was afraid to take the shot, and felt obligated to defer to ponytail.  I just felt he should have taken the shot, maybe he scores, maybe there is a deflection, maybe spillage.  But take the shot!

Example 2:  Taking shots from distance.  FFC needs to do more of this.  This WC is good reference point.  Two teams advanced on late goals scored from keeper spillage on shots from distance, Spain and England.  Take those shots, sometimes you actually score, sometimes a deflection, sometimes spillage.  But take the shot!

[sunburywhite]

Has anyone seen him yet?

[sarnian]

Has anyone seen him yet?

It was mentioned previously that he was being allowed to finish a pre planned holiday that meant he may be returning a few days late.

[KentFulham]

Above all else, I hope our new coach encourages, implores, insists that the lads shoot the ball more frequently, whether close in on tough angles or from distance, just have a go....Please!!!!

Example 1:  Bobb has looked good in his WC shows.  Against England, very early in his appearance he had found himself in the box, close in, and chose to try a pass through multiple defenders to get the ball to the ponytail, which obviously failed.  Looked like he was afraid to take the shot, and felt obligated to defer to ponytail.  I just felt he should have taken the shot, maybe he scores, maybe there is a deflection, maybe spillage.  But take the shot!

Example 2:  Taking shots from distance.  FFC needs to do more of this.  This WC is good reference point.  Two teams advanced on late goals scored from keeper spillage on shots from distance, Spain and England.  Take those shots, sometimes you actually score, sometimes a deflection, sometimes spillage.  But take the shot!

I agree we should shoot from long range more, but worth remembering we were the 5th best scorers from long range last season, Only West ham, Villa, Bournmouth and Forest scored more

[Super Mick]

sometimes things look right for instance when micky adams took over, first game we started with him we could all see the difference and I confidently predicted we would go up the next season, the same with macdonald...they were a breath of fresh air.

Silva was also obviously going to be be top class from day one but usually it isn't like that. Circumstances can work against a manager especially if the squad isn't properly assembled. What I do hope is that we quickly see a positive direction of travel and that even if results do not start well we at least can see some method.

I have read in other places lots of good stuff about the new man but Fulham is and has always been an odd place, not like anywhere else, so let us hope he fits in and is a phenomenal success!

Good news is he should get a full pre-season with the current squad.

Let's hope the transfer targets come in earlier than previous years and we can help them bed in.

Hopefully Silva mentioned that the ridiculously slow transfers, were one of the reasons he decided to leave.

[demeant0r]

A week later and still no words or interview from him.