Erik ten Hag Weighs Selling Kovar Again at Leverkusen

Erik ten Hag is reportedly ready to sanction the second departure of Matej Kovar in as many summers, a move that would see the Czech goalkeeper leave Bayer Leverkusen just 12 months after arriving from Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag seeks balance between results and roster

Erik ten Hag has earned a reputation for ruthless squad management, first at Ajax, then at Old Trafford, and now in the Bundesliga. After guiding Leverkusen to a solid domestic campaign, the Dutch coach is already reshaping next season’s dressing-room dynamic. Sources close to the Werkself suggest Kovar is among the names on the chopping block as Ten Hag pursues a more ball-playing backup to No.1 Lukas Hradecky. Financial fair-play pressures and a desire to unlock funds for out-field reinforcements have only sharpened his stance.

Kovar’s roller-coaster route under Ten Hag

The 24-year-old shot-stopper has experienced a curious career path with his current boss. Promoted to Manchester United’s senior squad in 2022, Kovar never made a competitive appearance before Ten Hag approved a €2.9 million transfer to Leverkusen. Initially viewed as a long-term project, he has since featured mainly in cup ties and the Europa League, registering four clean sheets in 12 outings. While his reflexes impressed, questions over distribution have persisted—an element Ten Hag considers non-negotiable in modern build-up play.

Manchester United monitoring the situation

United inserted a buy-back and sell-on clause when they parted with their academy graduate last August. With André Onana yet to fully convince in the Premier League, Old Trafford scouts have continued to track Kovar’s progress. Any Leverkusen sale could trigger United’s first-refusal option, though club insiders indicate Ten Hag (in Manchester) is focused on more experienced targets such as Brentford’s David Raya.

Potential destinations and price tag

German outlets claim Leverkusen are seeking €10-12 million—enough to bank a tidy profit while freeing wages for an attacking midfielder. Interest has surfaced from Borussia Mönchengladbach and newly promoted Southampton, both in search of cost-effective starters. Kovar’s camp, meanwhile, is keen on guaranteed minutes ahead of Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs with the Czech Republic.

Erik ten Hag’s tactical vision drives the decision

Much like his earlier stint in Manchester, Erik ten Hag demands a sweeper-keeper who can initiate attacks under pressure. Leverkusen recorded the third-highest possession rate in the Bundesliga, yet Ten Hag felt transitions stalled whenever Kovar deputised. The coach’s analytics staff highlighted a pass-completion dip from 85% with Hradecky to 73% with Kovar—significant enough to alter recruitment plans. Cutting ties now allows Leverkusen to chase Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu or Ajax prospect Diant Ramm.

Financial ripple effect

Shifting Kovar could be the first domino in a crucial summer. Leverkusen must also fend off bids for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, both coveted by Premier League heavyweights. By banking early funds from a goalkeeper sale, sporting director Simon Rolfes can resist low-ball offers for his star out-fielders and still satisfy Ten Hag’s request for depth across the back line.

Legacy at Old Trafford still undecided

Should Kovar flourish elsewhere, United may yet regret letting the academy product walk. Yet Ten Hag’s track record of tough calls paying off—see Lisandro Martínez and Antony at Ajax—gives Leverkusen fans faith that any replacement will elevate their possession-centric blueprint. For now, the narrative of Erik ten Hag parting ways with Matej Kovar for a second time underscores the cold pragmatism required at elite level.

Opinion: Time right for fresh starts

From this writer’s perspective, both coach and keeper benefit from a clean break. Erik ten Hag clearly envisions a stylistic upgrade, while Kovar deserves a club ready to hand him the No.1 jersey rather than eternal bench duty. A swift, profitable sale could therefore serve all parties—and reaffirm Ten Hag’s identity as a manager unafraid to double down on his convictions.