Fulham Consider Thomas Frank as Arbeloa Faces Sack Pressure

Fulham are weighing up a managerial change after a winless start left Álvaro Arbeloa under severe pressure, with Thomas Frank emerging as the leading candidate to replace him at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers sit bottom of the table after taking only two points from their first six league matches. Draws with Liverpool and Manchester United offered some encouragement, but Fulham have yet to record a victory and concern has grown within the club.

Arbeloa faces decisive fortnight

1. Fulham began the season without a win through six fixtures, collecting two points from draws against Liverpool and Manchester United.
2. Pressure increased after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Ipswich Town, where Fulham conceded in stoppage time.
3. Reports of a dispute between Arbeloa and a number of experienced first-team players have added to the uncertainty around the former Real Madrid coach.
4. Arbeloa responded defiantly to criticism after the Ipswich loss, rejecting the suggestion that the mounting attention was affecting him.
5. Fulham host newly promoted Hull City on Saturday before travelling to Coventry City in their next league game.
6. The club are expected to review Arbeloa’s position before the November international break if Fulham do not take maximum points from those two matches.

Frank back on Fulham’s shortlist

Frank had already been considered by Fulham during the summer, when Marco Silva left for Benfica. The Danish coach has been without a club since Tottenham dismissed him in February, although his expected salary would make any appointment a significant financial commitment.

Kieran McKenna, formerly Ipswich Town manager, is also among the alternatives being kept under consideration by the Fulham board.

For now, Arbeloa remains in charge, but the matches against Hull and Coventry have become critical. Fulham need results quickly to restore confidence in the squad and begin closing the gap to the teams above them.