Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar has opened up about the struggles he has faced since losing his place as a regular starter, admitting that adapting to life on the bench has been far from easy.
The Swiss international, who has been a consistent presence in Newcastle’s defence for the past four years, found himself sidelined for the last two Premier League fixtures against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, with Dan Burn chosen ahead of him to partner Malick Thiaw at the back.
Schar’s difficulties began after he suffered a concussion during Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona, which forced him to miss three consecutive matches.
Before that setback, he had started every game of the season, helping the Magpies keep three clean sheets in five matches and contributing to a solid defensive start.
During his absence, Thiaw, Newcastle’s £35 million summer signing, seized the opportunity to impress and delivered a series of strong performances, leaving Schar watching from the sidelines for the first time in years.
The 33-year-old briefly returned to the starting eleven for the Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham, where he even found the back of the net, but was then dropped once again.
He was reinstated for the important victory against Manchester City, playing a crucial role in keeping Erling Haaland quiet, and featured in the following game against Marseille.
Yet, in the last two league fixtures, he has been relegated to the substitutes’ bench once more, prompting him to reflect on the challenge of regaining his spot.
“Being on the bench has been quite difficult actually,” Schar admitted. “It wasn’t an easy situation. I think I did pretty well at the start of the season. Then I had the concussion and was out for three games.
I hadn’t done anything wrong or played badly, but it’s very hard to get back in the team. It’s something I’ve never experienced in the last four years. Everything was new, and it wasn’t easy to deal with.”
Schar acknowledges that age and squad rotation are inevitable, but he insists he still has plenty to offer. “It’s something I know will happen because I’m getting older, but I don’t want it to happen.
I still feel I can contribute a lot to the team. I just want to be on the pitch and do what I’ve tried to do over the last seven years: give my all and leave everything out there.”
Despite his frustration, Schar has remained professional and committed to fighting for his place. He admits that he made his feelings known to manager Eddie Howe during training but has continued to train diligently and stay focused.
“I think I showed my frustrations a little bit,” he explained. “The gaffer knew I wasn’t happy, but I tried to stay calm and train hard. I knew I would get another chance. It was more about how everything happened the concussion, missing a few games. It was hard to accept.”
Schar also recognizes the quality in Newcastle’s squad, including the younger players who have arrived this season. “I’m not stupid. We have a lot of quality in the team, and we’ve added younger players.
But as long as I can, I know I’ll be able to help the team. I can still add value.” His goal in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham and his strong display against Manchester City are reminders of his ongoing importance to the side.
“When you’re on the pitch, you have to try and deliver, and I think I’ve done that. I’ve always tried to stay positive and contribute whenever I get the chance.”
Schar’s honesty and determination underline his professionalism and commitment to Newcastle United. While he adjusts to a new role in the squad, his experience, leadership, and resilience remain vital to the team, proving that even from the bench, he continues to be a key asset capable of influencing big games.
