Overview
- Fulham surrendered a 1-0 lead and lost 2-1 to Ipswich on Saturday, conceding an 88th-minute equaliser and a stoppage-time winner that sources describe as a damaging setback.
- The defeat leaves Fulham bottom of the Premier League with two points from six matches and has prompted the board to demand immediate improvement.
- Club sources and multiple reports say Arbeloa must collect at least four points from home matches against Hull and the trip to Coventry or face serious consideration of dismissal.
- High-profile names including Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna and Vitor Pereira have been floated as possible successors and agents have started approaching the club even though no formal recruitment process has been opened.
- Arbeloa has publicly rejected sack talk and called for focus on results, but pundits and journalists have repeatedly criticised his late-game management and substitution choices that coincided with several late goals against Fulham.