Peter Maes is immediately away as a trainer of Willem II. The Belgian was under heavy pressure due to disappointing results. “A change is needed. I was left militable, but the results were not forthcoming. In the end, only one goal counts, and that is enforcement for Willem II,” says Maes on the club’s website on Wednesday. Assistant trainer Kristof Aelbrecht finishes the season as the ultimate responsible.
According to Freek Heerkens, interim-technical director of Willem II, it was not possible to break the negative series. “That is why, after several conversations in good consultation, we decided to end the collaboration immediately. It hurts to say goodbye to Peter early. He has returned the club to the highest level with a lot of passion and we are very grateful to him for that.”
Willem II only achieved two points from thirteen games this calendar year. Maes realized that a dismissal was in the air, he announced a few weeks ago to Omroep Brabant. “We work hard for a result, although we sometimes collide with limits. Faith and enthusiasm in the players group are there to turn this around. And if that is not the case, then there is only one solution. I don’t have to tell you.”
Champion
Maes worked almost two seasons in Tilburg. He was appointed early season after the start as a replacement for the fired Reinier Robbemond. The Belgian trainer managed to get the team out of the bottom regions and in the end the title was convincingly taken.
In the Eredivisie his team played in the middle bracket until the winter break, but in 2025 it went downhill with the performance. After the departure of Maes, Kristof Aelbrecht is given the task of keeping the Tilburgers in the Eredivisie. He receives support from Head of Youth Training Eric Hellemons and youth trainer Pim Hendrix, both of which were brought to the first team.
Seal
Willem II is currently sixteenth in the Eredivisie. There are still four games to play and it should try to hold this ticket for the play-offs for enforcement. The difference with number seventeen Almere City FC is four points, although that team already played a match. RKC Waalwijk will follow on five points.
Program Eredivisie:
May 3: NEC (Uit) May 9: Heracles Almelo (home) May 14: PEC Zwolle (home) May 18: NAC (off)