Martin Drury is a refreshingly candid figure who admits that becoming a head coach never featured on his original career roadmap. While he briefly took the reins at Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North during the 2015/16 season, that stint came shortly after he hung up his boots as a player and he soon slipped back into the shadows. Over the following ten years he quietly assembled a varied coaching résumé, holding roles at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia.
In the summer of 2025 he returned to his hometown club, Huddersfield Town, first as an interim caretaker in March and then, after a short spell, securing a two‑year contract in May. In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Drury recounts his unconventional journey from the Spanish top flight back to the English lower leagues, describing how he moved from LaLiga’s spotlight to plotting the Terriers’ escape from League One. His partnership with Spanish coach Carlos Corberán began at Bradford, where Corberán was then a youth coach at Leeds United.
The two first collaborated in August 2024 when Drury was hired as an individual coach at West Brom. "When I first met Carlos, I felt we connected from a work‑ethic perspective and we were very much aligned in how we saw life and earning everything you get in life through work," Drury recalls. "On the football side we shared a common philosophy about player development and the style of play we could implement, despite coming from different cultural backgrounds." Corberán’s move to Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024 prompted Drury to follow him within days, swapping a promising Championship play‑off push for the challenge of keeping the Spanish side, Los Murcielagos, in LaLiga. The pair enjoyed an almost fairy‑tale start, holding Real Madrid level at the Mestalla until the 85th minute on 3 January 2025 before Luka Modrić equalised and Jude Bellingham netted a dramatic 96th‑minute winner.
"I remember preparing for that match and thinking this was the environment I wanted – facing the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Bellingham and Modrić," Drury said. "To go back later in the season, win 2‑1 at the Bernabéu in the dying minutes, and feel that bond with the fans was something extraordinary.
"We struggled against Barcelona, but watching world‑class talent day in, day out and preparing for the best managers on the planet was a privilege I cherished." When Drury arrived, Valencia were anchored at the bottom of the table. By season’s end they were flirting with European qualification, having snatched points off several giants – a turnaround Drury describes as "pretty special". In July 2025 he was lured back to England to join 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.
"Martin played an important role in setting us up for the season ahead," said Brentford director of football Phil Giles. Drury praised the club’s professionalism: "It’s an amazing organisation with brilliant people.
Keith has done an unbelievable job and I really enjoyed my time there. Sometimes you have to assess whether a role is the right fit for you and the club. The conversations were open and honest, and I’m happy with how they performed last season.
I genuinely think they’ll be even stronger this year because Keith is a top‑class manager, the squad is strong and the club is run impeccably from top to bottom." The brief West London episode forced an unexpected pause in Drury’s career. He moved back north to be near his family, admitting for the first time in over a decade that he had taken a genuine break from football – a period he initially "despised" but later recognised as productive.
"I hadn’t had a proper break for ten or twelve years, so stepping off the hamster wheel allowed me to reconnect with old friends, experience new things and challenge my own thinking," he explained. He turned down several offers, feeling he needed more time before diving back in. That patience paid off when Liam Manning, a former colleague, invited him to Huddersfield.
Drury had known Manning for a while and felt a personal connection to the club, describing Huddersfield as "close to my heart". In January 2026 Drury was appointed Manning’s assistant manager. When Manning was granted compassionate leave in late March following the tragic death of his newborn son Theo in October 2024, Drury stepped up alongside Jon Stead to take charge of the first team.
During his seven‑game spell the Terriers recorded two wins and four draws, ultimately missing the League One play‑offs by eight points. Nevertheless, the club announced on 27 May that Drury had earned the permanent managerial role, calling him the "outstanding" candidate for the job.
Despite never initially aspiring to be a head coach, Drury embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly. "I love coaching, I love being on the training ground, I love working with players – but I’m driven.
When I truly believe in something, I feel very strongly about it," he said. He reflected on his philosophy: "In the back of my mind I always thought that if I felt passionately about a particular culture and way of working, maybe I would eventually have to lead from the front. It wasn’t a conscious goal, but football is full of surprises.
When the chance appeared, the decision was clear." Drury also addressed the turbulence that surfaced toward the end of the season, insisting the environment remained supportive. "I never felt it was a hostile or overly challenging atmosphere. Many people wanted the best for the club. We have already used the summer window to strengthen the squad, and I think the players who were here last season appreciate the work we’ve done because it will help them moving forward." He acknowledged that building cohesion takes time, especially with new signings.
"There’s a process of connection building in the group; it always takes a little while when you bring in fresh faces. But it’s a humble group of men, driven daily by development, with a real winning edge and a competitive focus." Drury is clear about the identity he wants his side to embody. "When I stand on the touchline I want to see a team that represents Huddersfield – players giving everything, running with determination," he explained.
"As a northern lad I understand what the fans expect. If we deliver that commitment, I genuinely believe success will follow because of the quality of our players and staff." The Terriers’ next challenge arrives with a live broadcast of the Burton Albion versus Huddersfield match on Sky Sports+ on Saturday, 3 October, kick‑off at 3 pm. In summary, Martin Drury’s path has taken him from a brief spell in the English non‑league, through elite coaching roles in Spain and England, to the helm of his hometown club.
His story underscores a willingness to adapt, a commitment to hard work and a deep‑rooted desire to forge a team that mirrors the grit and spirit of northern England.