Erik ten Hag is on the verge of returning to management seven months after getting sacked by Manchester United.
Although Erik ten Hag’s reign as Manchester United manager came to a crashing end in October 2024, the Dutchman won two trophies during his time at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag ended a six-year trophy drought at United after winning the Carabao Cup in 2023, before beating Man City in the FA Cup final a year later.
A disastrous start to the 2024/25 campaign led to Ten Hag’s dismissal, but he is now closing in on a new job seven months on, following links to several European clubs, including a return to Ajax.
It now looks like Ten Hag will be joining Bayer Leverkusen after Xavi Alonso leaves for Real Madrid.
The Bundesliga outfit has held talks with several candidates, but Ten Hag has emerged as the frontrunner to get the job.
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Erik ten Hag set for reunion with Matej Kovar
If Ten Hag does end up at Leverkusen, he will form a reunion with a player he sold at Manchester United for £7m in 2023.
Matej Kovar was sold because Altay Bayindir was joining the club to become Andre Onana’s backup.
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United fans may question whether that was the right decision because Onana and Bayindir have struggled to perform.
Since joining Leverkusen, former Kovar has had to settle for a backup role, though last season he played a key part (12 matches) in the club’s Europa League journey as they reached the final.
Kovar has made a total of 15 appearances across all competitions this season.
It will be intriguing to see what will happen Kovar if Ten Hag becomes Leverkusen manager. Will he sell him for a second time or promote the Czech Republic stopper to first-choice?
Leverkusen fans will hope that Ten Hag will be luckier with goalkeepers in Germany than he was during his time at United.
What has Kovar said since leaving Manchester United?
Back in August, Kovar admitted that he would be open to the idea of returning to United in the future.
Kovar’s departure for Leverkusen in 2023 brought an end to a five-and-a-half-year stint at Old Trafford following a 2018 transfer from FC Slovacko. He starred for United’s Under-21s and enjoyed loan spells at Swindon Town, Burton Albion and Sparta Prague.
Although the 25-year-old never made a competitive appearance for United’s first team, Kovar featured in two senior friendlies during last summer’s pre-season tour.
Speaking to Rheinische Post before the start of the 2024/25 campaign, Kovar admitted that he wouldn’t rule out a return to United if he were presented with such an opportunity.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave everything behind at that age: the country, my friends, my family. But when Manchester United calls, you don’t have to think ling.
“For me, a childhood dream came true. I had to take that chance.”
Kovar is grateful for everything he experienced at United, adding: “I was there for five years, enjoyed the time, met a lot of great people and matured as a goalkeeper and a person. I’m grateful for the experiences.
“Of course, there were ups and downs, but they’re part of life. Maybe I’ll come back one day, that would be nice.”