Fulham focus on Arbeloa and Lampard as Silva successors in 2026

Fulham's vice-chairman reveals two main candidates to replace Marco Silva after his departure.

Silva's exit opens search Marco Silva ended his five-year spell at Fulham by leaving Craven Cottage earlier in the month. The Portuguese manager moved to Benfica to take over from Jose Mourinho, who returned to Real Madrid as head coach. Fulham had anticipated Silva would remain by agreeing to a new contract. Club leaders now face the challenge of identifying his replacement. ## Arbeloa emerges as top target Fulham held advanced discussions last week with Alvaro Arbeloa regarding the vacant managerial role. The 43-year-old Spaniard spent his entire coaching career at Real Madrid, rising from youth teams to an interim position mid-season. Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso, who left to join Chelsea as head coach. The club continues exploring options while engaging in talks with potential candidates. ## Lampard linked with Craven Cottage switch Frank Lampard has also been connected with the Fulham vacancy after his promotion of Coventry City to the Premier League last season. The 47-year-old former England midfielder guided Coventry to the Championship title in his first managerial campaign. His name remains in the conversation alongside other reported candidates. Fulham remains open to further discussions with additional managers. ## Board identifies preferred replacements Vice-chairman Tony Khan confirmed Fulham is actively pursuing multiple managers for the role. Speaking on FFCtv, he described the search as productive with several promising exchanges. Khan emphasized two candidates in particular who have met with the board multiple times and impressed leadership. The club insists it remains flexible and willing to consider more options before finalizing a decision. ## McKenna ruled out amid family considerations Fulham previously discussed Kieran McKenna, who left Ipswich Town after securing promotion to the Premier League. McKenna chose to step down to prioritize family time, ending potential negotiations. Khan acknowledged some rumors but stressed ongoing, active conversations with multiple candidates. The board remains committed to finding the right fit through this process. ## Season review and future outlook Fulham concluded last season in 11th place, narrowly missing European qualification by two points. Arbeloa brings experience from a long playing career at Liverpool and West Ham before transitioning into coaching. Lampard’s managerial journey includes roles at Derby, Chelsea, Everton, and Coventry since 2024. Both candidates align with the club’s ambitions to strengthen their standing in upcoming campaigns.