Martin Drury is a forthright character who admits that managing a senior side never featured on his career roadmap. While he briefly took charge of Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North during the 2015/16 season, that stint came shortly after he hung up his boots and he soon slipped out of the spotlight. Over the ensuing decade he assembled a varied coaching résumé that saw him work at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia, gaining experience across different tiers and cultures. Now back in his hometown, Huddersfield, Drury has been handed the reins in his own right.
An interim spell that began in March earned him a two‑year contract in May, and he has since spoken to Sky Sports about his journey from LaLiga to the Premier League and his current mission to guide the Terriers out of League One. Drury first crossed paths with fellow Spaniard Carlos Corberán when the latter was at Leeds and Drury was at Bradford. Their professional rapport deepened in August 2024 when Drury was appointed as an individual coach at West Brom, where Corberán was the head coach.
"From the moment we met, I sensed a shared work ethic and a common belief that everything you achieve comes from hard work," Drury recalls. "On the tactical side we were on the same page about how we could develop players, despite our different cultural backgrounds." Corberán departed for Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024, and Drury followed a few days later, taking up the role of his assistant.
The pair abandoned a promising Championship play‑off push to tackle the challenge of keeping Los Murcielagos afloat in Spain’s top flight. Their early spell was dramatic: on 3 January 2025 they led Real Madrid at the Mestalla until the 85th minute, only for Luka Modrić to equalise and Jude Bellingham to snatch a 96th‑minute winner.
Drury remembers the occasion vividly: "Preparing for that match made me realise this was the environment I wanted – facing the likes of Mbappé, Bellingham and Modrić. To later win 2‑1 at the Bernabéu in the dying moments was the highlight of my career and the bond with the fans was extraordinary." Although they suffered defeats to Barcelona, the exposure to world‑class talent and elite managers on a weekly basis was something Drury treasured.
"When we arrived the club were at the bottom of the table, yet we finished tantalisingly close to European qualification, picking up points against giants – that was special," he says. In July 2025 Drury was lured back to England, joining Keith Andrews’ staff at Brentford as an assistant first‑team coach.
However, after only three Premier League fixtures he left the club in early September. Director of Football Phil Giles praised his contribution, and Drury spoke highly of Brentford’s professionalism: "It’s an amazing club with brilliant people. Keith has done an unbelievable job and I truly enjoyed my time there. Sometimes you have to assess if a role fits you, and the conversations were open and honest.
From a distance I’m delighted with their progress and I think they’ll be even stronger this season." The abrupt exit forced Drury into an unexpected hiatus. He returned north to be nearer his family, noting that it was the first time in twelve years he had taken a break from football – a period he initially despised but later found productive. "I hadn’t had a proper break for a decade, so stepping off the hamster wheel allowed me to reconnect with old friends, see new things and challenge my own thinking," he admits. Opportunities at other clubs arose, but he declined, feeling he needed more time before jumping back in.
Fortune smiled when Liam Manning called, inviting Drury to join Huddersfield’s backroom staff. Having known Manning for some time and feeling a personal connection to the club, Drury accepted.
In January 2026 he became Manning’s assistant manager, and by late March, following Manning’s compassionate leave after the tragic loss of his newborn son Theo, Drury stepped up alongside Jon Stead to lead the side. During his interim tenure Huddersfield recorded two wins and four draws from seven games, ultimately missing the League One play‑offs by eight points. Nonetheless, the club announced on 27 May that Drury had earned the permanent managerial position, describing him as the "outstanding" candidate for the role. Despite his earlier lack of ambition to be a head coach, Drury is now fully committed to the project.
"I love coaching, I love being on the training ground, I love working with players – but I’m driven, and when I truly believe in something I feel very strongly about it," he explains. He adds that his philosophy is rooted in culture and environment: "If I have a clear vision of the way I want the club to operate, sometimes you have to lead from the front.
The opportunity presented itself and the decision was obvious." Reflecting on the season’s turbulence, Drury says the atmosphere was never hostile: "There were many people who wanted the best for Huddersfield. We’ve had a transfer window to address squad gaps, and the players who stayed appreciated the work we’ve done because it benefits them. Building cohesion takes time, especially with new signings, but we have a humble group driven by development, a winning edge and a competitive mindset." Drury’s ambition is clear: he wants his side to embody the spirit of the north.
"When I stand on the touchline I want to see a team that represents Huddersfield – players giving everything, running with passion," he declares. "As a northern lad I understand what the fans expect. If we deliver that, I genuinely believe success will follow given the quality of our staff and players."