Martin Drury is a forthright character who admits that becoming a head coach never featured on his career roadmap. While he briefly took the reins at Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North during the 2015‑16 season, that stint followed closely on the heels of his playing retirement and he soon slipped back into the shadows. Over the ensuing ten years Drury assembled a varied coaching résumé, serving in roles at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia.
Today he finds himself back in his hometown, leading Huddersfield Town – the club of the town that raised him. An interim spell that began in March earned him a two‑year contract in May, cementing his status as the club’s permanent manager. In an interview with Sky Sports, Drury recounted his winding journey from La Liga to the Premier League and his current mission to guide the Terriers out of League One. He first crossed paths with Spanish coach Carlos Corberán while both were working in Yorkshire – Drury at Bradford and Corberán at Leeds.
Their professional relationship blossomed in August 2024 when Drury was hired as an individual coach at West Brom, and the pair quickly discovered a shared work ethic and a common philosophy about earning success through hard work. "When I met Carlos, I sensed an instant connection in how we approached our jobs and life in general," Drury explained. "Even though we come from different cultural backgrounds, our ideas about player development and the style of football we want to implement were remarkably aligned." Corberán’s move to Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024 prompted Drury to follow him within days, swapping a promising Championship playoff push for the challenge of keeping Los Murcielagos afloat in Spain’s top flight.
Their tenure at Valencia began brightly, as the side led Real Madrid at the Mestalla until the 85th minute on 3 January 2025, before Luka Modrić equalised and Jude Bellingham netted a dramatic 96th‑minute winner. "Preparing for that match made me realise this was the environment I craved – testing myself against the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Bellingham and Modrić," Drury recalled. "Playing them again later in the season and clinching a 2‑1 victory at the Bernabéu in the final minute was an unforgettable highlight. The bond we forged with the fans was extraordinary." Although Valencia struggled in both fixtures against Barcelona, Drury valued the experience of facing world‑class talent and learning from elite managers on a weekly basis.
He noted that the club had been languishing at the bottom of the table when he arrived, yet they finished the campaign tantalisingly close to European qualification, buoyed by points taken from the league’s giants. In July 2025 Drury returned to England, joining Keith Andrews’ staff at Brentford as a first‑team assistant.
However, after just three Premier League games, he departed in early September. Brentford director of football Phil Giles praised Drury’s contribution, saying, "Martin played a crucial role in laying the foundations for the upcoming season." Drury echoed the sentiment, describing Brentford as "an amazing club with brilliant people" and lauding Andrews as "an unbelievable manager". He added that sometimes a coach must evaluate whether a role truly fits, and that his conversations at Brentford were open and honest. He left with a positive view of the club’s future, believing they would grow even stronger.
The abrupt exit led to an unexpected hiatus. Drury moved back north to be nearer his family, taking his first real break from football in more than a decade. "I’d been on the hamster wheel for twelve years," he joked.
"The time away allowed me to reconnect with old friends, explore new ideas and challenge my own thinking." When a new opportunity arose, Drury seized it. Liam Manning, whom he had known for some time, invited him to join Huddersfield Town.
The club holds a special place in Drury’s heart, and he was eager to help build something lasting there. In January 2026 Drury was appointed Manning’s assistant, and by late March he, alongside Jon Stead, assumed charge while Manning took compassionate leave following the tragic death of his newborn son, Theo, in October 2024. Huddersfield’s official statement confirmed the personal circumstances surrounding Manning’s absence. During Drury’s interim stewardship, the Terriers recorded two wins and four draws from seven matches, ultimately missing the League One playoff spots by eight points.
Nonetheless, his performance impressed the board, and on 27 May he was handed the permanent managerial role, described as the "outstanding" candidate for the job. Even though leading a team had never been his original ambition, Drury is now fully committed to the project. "I love coaching, I love being on the training ground, I love working with players," he said. "When I’m passionate about a particular culture and way of working, I realise I may have to lead from the front.
The opportunity presented itself clearly, and I couldn’t ignore it." Reflecting on the latter part of the season, Drury noted that despite some turbulence, the environment remained constructive and the staff were united in pursuit of the club’s best interests. He highlighted the recent recruitment window, which allowed the squad to address key areas and give existing players a clearer pathway to success. "There’s a process of building connections within the group, especially when new faces arrive," he explained.
"Our squad is humble, driven by development, and possesses a genuine winning mentality." Drury is determined that his side embody the spirit of the north. "When I stand on the touchline, I want to see a team that truly represents Huddersfield – players giving everything, running with heart," he affirmed. "As a northern lad, I understand what the fans expect. If we deliver that commitment, I genuinely believe success will follow, given the quality of our players and staff." The upcoming Burton‑Huddersfield clash on Sky Sports+ (kick‑off 3 pm, Saturday 3 October) offers fans a chance to see Drury’s vision in action, while a Super 6 promotion promises a £1 million prize for lucky participants.