Former Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar has lifted the lid on his relationship with Erik ten Hag after being sold twice by the Dutch coach.
Matej Kovar joined Manchester United aged 17 in 2018 before making over 50 appearances for the U21s and training with the first team under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Czech goalkeeper initially gained experience at the senior level on loan at Swindon Town and Burton Albion before a temporary move to Sparta Prague, which saw Kovar voted the Czech First League Goalkeeper of the Year.
In August 2023, United sold Kovar to Bayer Leverkusen for around £7.7 million because Erik ten Hag did not see him as part of his long-term plans after signing Andre Onana. The 25-year-old joined PSV Eindhoven last summer to become an undisputed first-choice goalkeeper in the Eredivisie.
Do you agree with Edwin van der Sar over his Lammens praise?
He was excellent against Everton, but is he the long-term goalkeeper for United?
Edwin van der Sar quotes on Senne Lammens
Getty Images.
Matej Kovar playing against AZ Alkmaar
Photo by Kevin Senders/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Matej Kovar didn’t speak with Erik ten Hag before Bayer Leverkusen departure
Although Ten Hag sold Kovar from United in 2023, they briefly crossed paths again when Bayer Leverkusen appointed the Dutchman as their coach before the beginning of the 2025/26 season.
Ten Hag took charge of just three competitive games before Leverkusen sent him his marching orders, but Kovar has now revealed that he didn’t speak with his former manager before leaving Leverkusen for PSV.
Kovar stresses that he was leaving Leverkusen anyway, though many believe that was connected to the fact that Ten Hag sold him at United.
More United News
“No, I don’t think so,” Kovar told ESPN when asked if Ten Hag had any influence over his Leverkusen exit.
“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.”
Kovar hasn’t looked back since signing for PSV Eindhoven.
Where would YOU rank Senne Lammens right now in a top 10 of world goalkeepers?
Can he be number one in the future?
Senne Lammens ranking
Getty Images
Matej Kovar’s transfer to PSV Eindhoven has been a success
PSV Eindhoven have a 19-point lead over Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie, which means Kovar is on course to win his first-ever league title at the senior level in his debut season.
On top of that, Kovar got his wish of becoming the first-choice goalkeeper. The former United stopper has made 37 appearances for PSV, including eight in the Champions League.
Kovar will aim to finish the season as strongly as possible to make it a season to remember.
Most United fans will wish nothing but the best to Kovar, even though he didn’t get a chance at Old Trafford.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox