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.[4][5] In 1987, he helped Lommel secure promotion to the second division.[6][7]
In 1989, Maes joined first-division side Racing Mechelen, serving as the backup to Ivan De Wilde.[8] 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,[9] seeing limited playing time but contributing to the team's success as they claimed the league title in 1991.[10] 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.[10]
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.[15] He then moved to Verbroedering Geel, a second-division club, remaining there for four seasons.[16] His tenure ended in 2006 after the club was relegated to the third division following a match-fixing scandal.[17]
Mechelen
In the summer of 2006, Maes took over as head coach of KV Mechelen, then competing in the second division.[15] He led the team to a runner-up finish and promotion to the top flight via the play-offs.[18][19] 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.[20]
Lokeren
In 2010, Lokeren chairman Roger Lambrecht recruited Maes along with midfielder Koen Persoons.[21] 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.[22][23] Two years later, Lokeren claimed another Belgian Cup, this time with a 1–0 victory over Zulte Waregem.[24] In the 2014–15 Europa League campaign, Maes guided Lokeren to the group stage after eliminating Hull City in the play-offs round.[25]
Genk
On 26 May 2015, Maes signed a three-year contract with Genk.[26][27] In his debut season, Genk finished fourth in the league. During the 2016–17 season, he led the team to the Europa League round of 16. However, inconsistent domestic performances led to his dismissal on 26 December 2016, with Albert Stuivenberg named as his replacement.[28]
Return to Lokeren
On 9 August 2017, Maes returned to Lokeren, succeeding Rúnar Kristinsson. His second tenure at the club ended in controversy. On 22 October 2018, Belgian media reported that Maes had been arrested in connection with the "Operation Clean Hands" investigation into football fraud, involving his agent Dejan Veljković. After appearing before an investigative judge, Lokeren dismissed Maes on 28 October, citing poor results.[29]Arnar Viðarsson was appointed as his successor.
On 20 May 2021, Beerschot revealed Maes as their new head coach, with a contract extending until 2024. However, his tenure ended abruptly with his dismissal in September 2021.[38]
Willem II
On 16 September 2023, Eerste Divisie side Willem II introduced Maes as their new head coach, succeeding the departed Reinier Robbemond. Maes marked the club's first-ever Belgian head coach and his first coaching venture abroad. At the time of his appointment, Willem II sat 15th in the league table. Under Maes' guidance, the team secured victories in their initial four matches, notably boosted by the contributions of Jeremy Bokila, who netted eight of the team's fourteen goals during this period. Maes also set a precedent by becoming the first Willem II coach to achieve wins in his first three matches.[39] In his first season with Willem II, Maes guided the team to the Eerste Divisie title, securing promotion to the Eredivisie.[40] On 21 May 2024, he extended his contract until 2026.[41]
In July 2023, Maes reached a settlement with the federal prosecutor's office, agreeing to pay a fine to the tax authorities and to the public prosecutor's office as well as repaying any money shown to have been unlawfully earned.[45] This concluded his portion of the investigation and cleared the way for his return to managing football.
