Ex-Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa is under pressure at Fulham, and it is already claimed that he has two games to save his job after a nightmare start to the new season
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.(Image: Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa could become the first manager to be fired in the Premier League this season, with the pressure already mounting on the Fulham boss.
Brought in from Real Madrid during the summer, Arbeloa is yet to win with Fulham in the league, drawing twice — including at Anfield against Liverpool — and losing four times to date.
But according to the Evening Standard, Arbeloa has just two games left to save his job or could face the sack. Newly-promoted Hull City and Coventry are Fulham's next opponents, with the Cottagers currently propping up the standings after six rounds of games.
Before the international break, Fulham drew 0-0 with Liverpool in a game where it looked relatively good. However, the West London side has struggled to convert performances into results so far.
While it has looked quite good in spells, it went 1-0 up over the weekend before conceding twice to throw the points away against Ipswich, with Dara O'Shea scoring a stoppage-time winner at Portman Road.
"I never worry about my position," Arbeloa said at the final whistle. "I don't feel fear. You cannot be a coach if you feel it. You have to work, take the decision, and you need to show confidence to your players.
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa(Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
"For me, I am so happy with many things that they are doing. I know it is not easy for them.
"It's not about my position, it is about Fulham’s position. That is the most important thing. Obviously it is just six games, but it is true we need points."
Fulham's draw with Liverpool was the first time it avoided defeat this season. It followed that up by tying with Manchester United.
After returning to Anfield in September, Arbeloa said: "It's not just the point, it's the way that we play here in this stadium against this team.
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"It's not easy to play here like we did, because I saw the game against Atletico Madrid, against Nottingham Forest, against other teams, and they didn't play like we did today.
"So, I think we need to continue improving, keeping that mentality, that character, and winning games.
"I think we did pretty well, against a massive team in a difficult stadium. We play with the character that we want to play, with the ambition, with the personality."