Peter Maes — Public People

Карьера и клубы

Playing career

Maes began his professional career as a goalkeeper in the 1980s with third-division club Lommel. Initially a backup, he eventually established himself as the team's first-choice goalkeeper, playing alongside teammates like Harm van Veldhoven, Patrick Goots, and Philip Haagdoren. In 1987, he helped Lommel secure promotion to the second division. In 1989, Maes joined first-division side Racing Mechelen, serving as the backup to Ivan De Wilde. Following Racing Mechelen's relegation at the end of the season, he signed with Anderlecht. At Anderlecht, Maes was the understudy to Filip De Wilde, seeing limited playing time but contributing to the team's success as they claimed the league title in 1991. During the 1991–92 season, he gained more opportunities after De Wilde suffered an injury. Despite competition from emerging talents like Frédéric Herpoel, Maes remained Anderlecht’s second-choice goalkeeper until 1995, winning four league titles during his time with the club. In the summer of 1995, Maes moved to Beveren as part of a swap deal involving Geert De Vlieger. At Beveren, he was the first-choice goalkeeper for one season before transferring to Standard Liège to replace departing captain Gilbert Bodart, with Jean-François Gillet as his understudy. However, Bodart returned to Standard for the 1997–98 season, relegating Maes to a backup role. In 1999, at the age of 35, Maes joined the newly established fusion club Germinal Beerschot. Under coach Franky Van der Elst, he served…

▸ Источник: Wikipedia

Managerial career

Early coaching career

Immediately after retiring as a player, Maes transitioned into coaching. His first role was with Verbroedering Geel-Meerhout, where he guided the team to the promotion playoffs in 2002. He then moved to Verbroedering Geel, a second-division club, remaining there for four seasons. His tenure ended in 2006 after the club was relegated to the third division following a match-fixing scandal.

Mechelen

In the summer of 2006, Maes took over as head coach of KV Mechelen, then competing in the second division. He led the team to a runner-up finish and promotion to the top flight via the play-offs. Under his leadership, and with key players such as Jonas Ivens, Koen Persoons, Björn Vleminckx, and Nana Asare, KV Mechelen established itself as a stable mid-table side in the Belgian Pro League.

Lokeren

In 2010, Lokeren chairman Roger Lambrecht recruited Maes along with midfielder Koen Persoons. In his first season, Maes led Lokeren to the championship round. He secured his first major trophy in 2012 when Lokeren defeated Kortrijk 1–0 in the Belgian Cup final, earning qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Two years later, Lokeren claimed another Belgian Cup, this time with a 1–0 victory over Zulte Waregem. In the 2014–15 Europa League campaign, Maes guided Lokeren to the group stage after eliminating Hull City in the play-offs round.