Fabian Schar has always been one of the most reliable figures in Newcastle United’s defence, a player who has rarely been out of the starting line-up since Eddie Howe arrived in 2021.
For years he has been a calm, experienced presence at the back, delivering consistent performances and playing through pain when needed. But this season has presented him with a new challenge, one he openly admits has been difficult to accept.
Schar began the campaign strongly and looked set for another season as a guaranteed starter. However, everything changed on the night Newcastle faced Barcelona in the Champions League.
A concussion forced him off during the 2-1 defeat and kept him sidelined for three matches. In his absence, Malick Thiaw stepped in and immediately impressed. The young defender’s level of performance was so high that Howe continued to start him, and he has now played every match since that night.
For Schar, that meant a run of just three starts across thirteen games, a situation that he has rarely faced in his Newcastle career.
Speaking to the club’s matchday programme, Schar admitted how tough the last few months have been. He said that sitting on the bench, especially after feeling he had done nothing wrong, was “quite difficult.”
He explained that he felt he began the season well, and the concussion was an unfortunate setback rather than a dip in form. Returning from injury usually places a player back into the mix, but this time the competition was too strong for Howe to ignore.
Thiaw’s form, alongside the presence of Dan Burn and Sven Botman, created a new puzzle in central defence, and Schar suddenly found himself in unfamiliar territory.
He didn’t hide the fact that this was something he had not experienced in four years. Being dropped without having played badly was a new feeling, and one he struggled to fully accept.
He acknowledged that age is a factor he now has to consider, but he was also honest in saying he does not want to slow down or fade away. He still believes he can give a lot to the team and wants to continue playing with the same commitment he has shown over the past seven seasons. That burning desire to be on the pitch hasn’t left him.
Schar also admitted there were moments when his frustration became obvious. During the Carabao Cup win over Tottenham, where he found the back of the net, supporters sensed an edge to his emotions, and he confirmed that the performance reflected his determination to prove a point.
He said that Eddie Howe was aware he wasn’t happy, but he tried his best to stay professional keeping calm, training well, and waiting for another chance. What bothered him most was the feeling that circumstances, not performances, had pushed him out of the team.
Still, he made sure to emphasise that he “is not stupid.” Schar understands the club’s long-term plans and recognises the quality of the defenders he is competing with.
Newcastle have invested in younger players, and competition for places is now fiercer than ever. But he refuses to accept the idea that he no longer has something to offer.
His mindset is that as long as he feels physically and mentally ready, he will continue pushing for his place and helping the team whenever he is called upon.
Scoring in the Carabao Cup reminded him and everyone watching that he remains a defender capable of influencing games at both ends of the pitch. It lifted his spirits and helped him stay focused, even though he still had to wait another couple of games before returning to the Premier League line-up.
When he finally started again against Manchester City, he delivered the kind of strong display fans have come to expect, helping Newcastle secure an important win.
For Schar, the road back into the team has been challenging, emotional, and at times frustrating. But it has also highlighted why he has lasted so long at this club: resilience, professionalism, and belief in his own abilities.
As the season continues, he will undoubtedly keep fighting for minutes, showing exactly why he remains such a respected figure in the Newcastle United dressing room.
