Former Fulham manager Javier Pereira believes the club won’t rush to axe Alvaro Arbeloa, despite a dismal start to the season. He insists the Spaniard needs time to implement the project that saw over €100 million spent in the summer.
After six Premier League matches, Fulham sit rock-bottom, managing just two points and yet to secure a win.
Arbeloa took charge in June, stepping in to replace Marco Silva, who departed for Benfica after five years in charge. The 43-year-old had previously managed Real Madrid's youth teams, most recently leading the senior squad.
The Cottagers have tied Arbeloa down to a deal until 2029 and brought in seven new signings. Three of those, Gonzalo Garcia, Palacios, and Manuel Angel, have previously worked with Arbeloa at Real.
In an interview with Marca, Pereira, who has twice held positions within Fulham's structure, expressed confidence that the club will continue to back their manager.
Pereira stated:
The start has been poor. The team is at the bottom of the table, and doubts are beginning to creep in.
The coach carries responsibility, it's clear, but I don’t think Fulham brought Arbeloa in for just six or seven matches.
A project has been built around him, and they signed three players that he knows well from Real.
Pereira reminded fans that during Silva's reign, Fulham transformed from a yo-yo club into a consistent Premier League side.
He believes the current struggles largely stem from Arbeloa's attempts to transpose tactical ideas that worked in Madrid to the English game.
He explained:
Initially, Arbeloa employed a very expansive game, almost as if he were still at Real. In the early home derbies against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, the team conceded three goals and lost both matches, 3-2.
However, Pereira noted that signs of improvement appeared before the international break, with Fulham drawing against Liverpool (0-0) and Manchester United (1-1).
He added:
In those matches, the impression was largely positive. The team looked closer to winning than drawing.
Yet, the last encounter against Ipswich exposed Fulham's issues again. Fulham controlled the game for large parts but failed to hold onto their lead.
Pereira believes Arbeloa erred in his substitutions.
He remarked:
Fulham were the better side for 60 minutes. But questions arose about how the team tried to hold onto their lead.
Arbeloa took off Charles and brought on Manuel Angel, who is more attack-minded. Such mistakes are unforgivable in the Premier League.
Next up for Fulham are matches against Premier League newcomers Hull and Coventry. Pereira is adamant these fixtures could prove pivotal for the team’s fortunes going forward.
The former manager advised Arbeloa to adjust his approach and lean more on players experienced in the English game.
Pereira said:
I wouldn't even think about Coventry just yet. The match against Hull needs to be approached like a final.
I believe something needs to change. Perhaps it’s time to trust players who have a good understanding of the Premier League and have been part of the squad for a while.
He pointed out experienced players such as Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Joachim Andersen, Rodrigo Muniz, and Sander Berge as crucial assets.
Pereira also urged fans not to expect instant results from the young talents brought in from Real.
He explained:
Although Gonzalo already has some experience, Palacios and Manuel Angel have hardly played in La Liga.
All three joined from Real, hence the high expectations. They are good players, but they lack experience.
Even top players find it challenging to adapt to the pace of the Premier League. I believe these signings are aimed more at the medium to long-term.
Thus, Pereira doesn’t consider sacking Arbeloa a wise decision at this stage. However, the upcoming match against Hull will serve as a significant test for the Spaniard; Fulham must start racking up points urgently to avoid getting embroiled in a relegation battle.
