Matej Kovar sets the record straight on Erik ten Hag after unusual double sale | OneFootball

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar has described what exactly went down with Erik ten Hag, who let him go on two occasions.

Kovar’s time at United

Kovar spent five-and-a-half years at United, having joined the club in 2018 from his hometown team 1. FC Slovácko in the Czech Republic.

He made his debut for the Under-18s in a 4-1 win over Everton shortly after his arrival and went on to establish himself as a regular in the side. He advanced through the ranks and was an unused substitute for a senior Europa League game against Astana in November 2019.

The shot-stopper was included in United’s final Premier League squad for 2021–22, but he never made a competitive first-team appearance.

During his time at Old Trafford, Kovar was sent out on loan to Swindon Town, Burton Albion and Sparta Prague.

He helped Sparta win the league, earning himself the Czech First League Goalkeeper of the Season award. Kovar featured in United’s pre-season friendlies in 2023. He came on for the second half in a 2-0 win vs. Leeds United and played the entire 90 minutes against Lyon in Edinburgh, keeping a clean sheet and catching the eye with his calm and composed performance.

Despite this, Ten Hag still elected to sell Kovar. United’s signing of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir meant there was little chance of him breaking into the first team. He sealed a switch to Bayer Leverkusen and helped them win the Bundesliga title.

Kovar and Ten Hag’s paths briefly crossed in Leverkusen when the Dutch coach was appointed as Xabi Alonso’s replacement. Ten Hag took charge of just three competitive games before Leverkusen fired him.

Speaking to ESPN, Kovar revealed that Ten Hag had no influence on his departure from Leverkusen to PSV Eindhoven. In fact, the pair never even talked.

Kovar makes Ten Hag revelation

ESPN asked Kovar whether Ten Hag was responsible for his sale to PSV. The 25-year-old answered, “No, I don’t think so.”

“I think my future was decided really before he actually came to the club, you know.”

“So, as you mentioned before, I knew I wanted to go play because the last season I wasn’t really a regular starter at the club and, at the age I think I was 24, 25.”

“So, I knew the next step will be somewhere where I wanted to play and wanted to show what I’m capable of. So, that was always my aim. So, I didn’t even really meet him at Leverkusen.”

It’s been nothing but upward trajectory for Kovar since his move to PSV. With a commanding 19-point lead over Feyenoord, he’s well on his way to winning the Eredivisie title as first-choice keeper.

He has made 24 top-flight appearances, keeping six clean sheets in that period.

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