Newcastle United defender Fabian Schär has labelled this season the best of his career so far, hailing manager Eddie Howe and the club’s Saudi Arabian owners for leading them to the top four.
The defender has been speaking to BlueWin in Switzerland about this season and the success the Magpies have enjoyed.
Newcastle finished fourth in the table after a superb campaign that saw them win 19 of their 38 games and lose just five, racking up 71 points in total to finish fourth in the table and secure Champions League football for next season.
At one point they had been title contenders, enjoying a superb run of form in the first half of the season that propelled them to the upper echelons of the Premier League.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for them given where they were last season, with Eddie Howe brought in midway through the campaign to guide them away from relegation trouble.
He managed to do that with a strong January transfer window aiding the side’s cause and then eventually finishing 11th, momentum they have carried through this season.
It appears to be the start of a new, bright era at Newcastle and Schär is delighted by everything he has seen so far.
“For me it was the best and most beautiful season of my entire career,” he said.
“I have never felt more comfortable in a place than in Newcastle. The cooperation in the team and with the coaching staff is unprecedented. I feel a great sense of happiness and a lot of gratitude for being able to experience this phase.
“He’s (Howe) the best coach of my career. It’s difficult to define in just one area. He has so many good facets. His training theory is first class, there is not even a hint of boredom in any meeting.
“What he announces always makes sense. The way he meets me on a personal level suits me extremely well. People are important to him.
“This is an outstanding component for him. He also asks a player on a day off; you can discuss very private matters with him. I’m in a very familiar relationship with him.
“The new owners have invested very carefully and made clever transfers. There was no sign of a spending spree. Instead, some funds have been put into infrastructure. They did a really good job. The change of strategy was necessary.”
