Andy Carroll and Fabian Schar fire brutal swipe at former Newcastle United manager

The lingering shadow of Steve Bruce’s turbulent tenure at Newcastle United continues to provoke startling revelations, with Fabian Schär becoming the latest player to subtly criticize the former manager’s methods.

The Swiss defender’s social media exchange with Andy Carroll has peeled back another layer on the discontent that festered during Bruce’s two-and-a-half year reign, exposing fresh wounds that still haven’t fully healed.

Schar’s remarkable 60-yard strike attempt against Leicester – which rattled the crossbar before Jacob Murphy tapped in the rebound – became the catalyst for this latest chapter in Newcastle’s post-Bruce reckoning.

When Carroll quipped “and Brucey benched you” on Schar’s Instagram post, it wasn’t just banter between teammates; it was a damning indictment of Bruce’s player management.

Schar’s coy “lips are sealed” response spoke volumes about the frustrations endured by technically gifted players during that era.

This incident follows Dwight Gayle’s explosive podcast appearance last month, where the former Newcastle striker painted a picture of tactical anarchy under Bruce. Gayle’s claim that Bruce told players “I don’t do tactics; just put your boots on and work hard” during a halftime team talk while trailing Manchester City aligns perfectly with Schar’s experience.

The center-back’s admission that he “couldn’t see myself long-term here” under Bruce’s management reveals how close Newcastle came to losing one of their most cultured defenders.

The contrast between Bruce’s Newcastle and Eddie Howe’s revolution couldn’t be starker. Where Bruce marginalized Schär in favor of less technically proficient options like Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez, Howe immediately recognized the Swiss international’s qualities.

Schar’s remarkable resurgence – culminating in last week’s contract extension – symbolizes Newcastle’s broader transformation under the current regime. His breathtaking goal against PSG in the Champions League, marauding runs from defense, and newfound leadership role would have been unthinkable during the Bruce years.

Bruce’s recent counterattack against Gayle, mocking the striker’s infamous miss against Manchester City, suggests the ex-manager remains sensitive about his Newcastle legacy. But the growing chorus of players speaking out – either directly or through veiled comments – indicates widespread dissatisfaction with his methods.

Schar’s revelation that he dreaded coming into training during that period exposes the toxic atmosphere that festered at the club’s Benton training ground.

What emerges from these accounts is a pattern of neglect towards player development, tactical preparation, and man-management.

While Bruce’s supporters might argue he stabilized the club during challenging times under Mike Ashley’s ownership, the testimonies from Gayle, Schär, and others suggest this stability came at the cost of stifling player potential and playing reactive, uninspiring football.

The timing of these revelations couldn’t be more symbolic. As Newcastle celebrated a dominant 3-0 away victory playing expansive, attacking football – with Schar attempting audacious shots from his own half – it served as the perfect contrast to the grim survival football that characterized Bruce’s tenure.

For all the money spent since the takeover, perhaps the most transformative change has been the restoration of belief and identity – qualities that were systematically eroded during those difficult years.

As more players feel empowered to share their experiences, Bruce’s reputation as a “players’ manager” continues to unravel. The Schär-Carroll exchange may have been lighthearted in tone, but its implications are serious: another respected Newcastle figure confirming what many supporters suspected about the club’s lost years.

For Newcastle’s current hierarchy, these revelations only reinforce their decision to pursue a completely different direction under Howe – one where technical quality and tactical sophistication are valued rather than suppressed.

The full story of Bruce’s Newcastle reign may never be told, but each new account adds another piece to the puzzle. What’s clear is that the club’s current success under Howe exists in spite of – not because of – the foundations laid during that period.

As Schar enjoys his late-career renaissance, his journey from outcast to cornerstone encapsulates Newcastle’s remarkable redemption arc under their progressive new leadership.