Alvaro Arbeloa given two games to save Fulham job

Alvaro Arbeloa’s position as Fulham head coach is under serious threat after just three months in charge, with the club’s board reportedly giving him two matches to turn around the team’s poor start to the Premier League season.

According to the Evening Standard, Fulham’s results since the beginning of the campaign have placed increasing pressure on the 43-year-old Spaniard, whose side have yet to win a league match.

Fulham dropped to the bottom of the Premier League after a 2-1 defeat by Ipswich Town on Saturday. They had taken the lead but conceded the decisive goal in the closing stages after failing to protect their advantage.

Arbeloa’s next two fixtures are against Hull City and Coventry City, both newly promoted to the Premier League. Fulham’s hierarchy is understood to be expecting positive results from those matches to avoid having to dismiss the manager.

The former Fulham boss Marco Silva left the club after refusing to sign a new contract and subsequently took charge of Benfica. Arbeloa was appointed during the summer to succeed the Portuguese manager.

Fulham have failed to win any of their opening six Premier League games this season, leaving Arbeloa still waiting for his first league victory since taking over. Their only win in all competitions came in the Carabao Cup, when they beat West Ham, who are competing in the first division.

The Spaniard has also faced criticism over his in-game substitutions. Fulham have conceded goals in the final 15 minutes of four of their six league matches, adding to concerns about the team’s ability to close out results.

Arbeloa was previously charged with misconduct after Fulham drew with Manchester United last month. That incident, combined with the club’s poor run of form, has intensified scrutiny of his management.

The outcome of the matches against Hull City and Coventry City is now expected to play a decisive role in determining whether Arbeloa remains in charge of Fulham.