Fulham 'really like' two candidates to replace Silva

Alvaro Arbeloa spent his entire coaching career at Madrid, working his way up from the youth teams to the interim position last season [Getty Images] Fulham have two candidates "in particular" to take over from former manager Marco Silva, says the club's vice-chairman and director of football operations Tony Khan. Portuguese Silva left Craven Cottage earlier this month after five years to join Benfica and replace Jose Mourinho, who has been reappointed as head coach at Real Madrid . Last week, BBC Sport reported Fulham were in advanced talks with 43-year-old Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa over the post, while Frank Lampard has also been linked. The former England midfielder, 47, led Coventry City back to the Premier League last season after lifting the Championship title. Speaking to FFCtv, Khan said Fulham had expected Silva, 48, to sign a new deal to stay. But in the search for his successor, the American businessman added: "There have been a lot of names mentioned and it is interesting because it is going very well and there has been a few great conversations in particular. Fulham in advanced talks to appoint Arbeloa as Silva's replacement Silva agrees to replace Mourinho at Benfica "We have got a few people that the board are talking to that are very exciting and interesting candidates. "There have been people who we have been linked to, where it says they were the frontrunner or that there was conversations, that were people we have never talked to or never even had a conversation about." Fulham are also known to have held talks with Kieran McKenna, who has since departed as manager of Ipswich Town following their promotion to the Premier League, saying he wanted a break to spend time with his family. Khan said: "There have been some rumours, but at the same time, we have had lots of conversations and meetings. We have been actively talking. "There are two in particular who have had multiple meetings with the board and who we really like, but we are open to more conversations and talking to more people. We are working on that process right now." Fulham finished 11th in the table last season, missing out on a place in Europe by two points. A former defender for both Liverpool and West Ham, Arbeloa was in charge of Real Madrid at the end of last season on an interim basis, having replaced Xabi Alonso - who has been appointed Chelsea's new boss - midway through the campaign. After a successful 13-year playing career at Stamford Bridge, Lampard started his managerial career at Derby before spells at Chelsea, Everton and then Coventry in 2024. Latest Fulham news, analysis and fan views Ask about Fulham - what do you want to know?