Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa says the focus should remain off him as his side searches for a first Premier League victory of the season ahead of this weekend. The club currently sits at the bottom of the table on just two points after recording four defeats and two draws in their opening six league fixtures of the campaign. Consequently, the 43-year-old Spanish manager is facing increasing scrutiny as Fulham prepare to host Hull City at Craven Cottage.
Despite media reports suggesting that another loss could cost him his position, Arbeloa maintained that preparations have proceeded as a normal week. He emphasized that the situation centers entirely on the institution, the squad, and the fans rather than his personal status. Fulham recently came close to securing their maiden win against Ipswich Town last weekend, holding a lead through Ryan Sessegnon before conceding two late goals at Portman Road. They also suffered a similar heartbreak against Manchester United prior to the international break, missing out on three points due to a last-gasp deflected goal.
Arbeloa arrived at Fulham during the summer on a three-year deal to succeed former manager Marco Silva, following a brief stint as the interim boss at Real Madrid. The former Liverpool full-back was appointed with strong endorsements from Madrid president Florentino Perez and returning coach Jose Mourinho. Although his start in English football has proven challenging, the team has successfully advanced to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Crystal Palace at home later this month.
Addressing whether he retains the backing of his players to implement his tactical vision, Arbeloa pointed to strong performances during large stretches against Ipswich, Manchester United, and a scoreless draw away at Liverpool. He stressed the importance of maintaining that competitive standard across the full duration of a match. Following the upcoming fixture against Hull, Arbeloa's side will face another promoted opponent when they travel to face Coventry City in the league.