Alvaro Arbeloa has just two matches to save his job as Fulham manager, according to reports in the English press. The Spanish tactician finds himself under mounting pressure only three months into his tenure, with the London club languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table and still searching for their first league victory of the season. Saturday's 2-1 defeat away at Ipswich Town has further compounded Arbeloa's problems. Fulham led until the 88th minute through Ryan Sessegnon's strike, only to concede a late equaliser before Ipswich captain Dara O'Shea snatched a stoppage-time winner. The collapse leaves the Cottagers with just two points from their opening six league fixtures.
Reports suggest the Spaniard's future hinges on the outcome of Fulham's next two encounters against newly promoted Hull City and Coventry City. Failure to secure positive results could prompt the board to part ways with the 43-year-old, who stepped in to succeed Marco Silva over the summer after the Portuguese boss left to take charge of Benfica.
Speaking after the Ipswich setback, Arbeloa insisted he is not concerned about his job security, urging everyone to keep their focus on the team's predicament rather than his own situation. "I never worry about my position. I have no fear. You can't be a manager if you are afraid. You have to work, make decisions, and transmit confidence to the players. It's not about my job, it's about Fulham's situation. That's the most important thing. We have only played six games, but it's true that we must start putting points on the board," the Spaniard said.