Jose Mourinho, according to TalkSport, recommended the appointment of incoming Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa played under the ‘Special One’ for three seasons during Mourinho’s first stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It is understood Fulham owner Shahid Khan spoke to Mourinho before rubber-stamping Arbeloa as Marco Silva’s replacement at Craven Cottage.

Even an unhappy stint as Real’s interim head coach did not deter Mourinho from giving Arbeloa a glowing appraisal.

Meanwhile Fulham are still working on the make-up of Arbeloa’s coaching team, with him wanting to bring as many as six backroom staff.