Martin Drury is a forthright character who admits that becoming a head coach never featured in his original career blueprint. Although he briefly took charge of Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North during the 2015/16 season, that stint arrived shortly after he hung up his boots and he soon slipped back into the shadows. Over the following ten years he assembled a varied coaching résumé that included roles at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia.
Today he is back in his hometown, leading Huddersfield Town – a club he now heads on a permanent basis after an interim spell that began in March and earned him a two‑year contract in May. In a conversation with Sky Sports, Drury traced his path from the Spanish top flight to the English Premier League and now to the task of guiding the Terriers out of League One.
He first crossed paths with fellow English‑born Spaniard Carlos Corberán while Drury was at Bradford and Corberán was working for Leeds. Their professional chemistry sparked in August 2024 when Drury accepted a position as an individual coach at West Brom. "When I first met Carlos, I sensed an immediate connection in work ethic and philosophy.
We both believe that everything you achieve comes from hard work," Drury recalled. "On the tactical side we shared a vision for player development, despite our different cultural backgrounds." Corberán departed for Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024, and Drury followed just days later, taking up the role of his assistant. The move meant abandoning a Championship play‑off push in England for the daunting challenge of keeping Los Murcielagos afloat in LaLiga.
The pair enjoyed an almost fairy‑tale start, leading Real Madrid at the Mestalla until the 85th minute on 3 January 2025, before Luka Modrić equalised and Jude Bellingham netted a 96th‑minute winner. "Preparing for that match made me realise this was the environment I craved – facing the likes of Mbappé, Bellingham and Modrić," Drury said. "Playing them again later in the season and winning 2‑1 at the Bernabéu in stoppage time was the pinnacle. The bond we forged with the fans was extraordinary." Although Valencia struggled in both encounters with Barcelona, Drury relished the chance to train against world‑class talent and learn from some of the finest managers in the game.
"When we arrived the club were at the bottom of the table, yet by season’s end we were flirting with European qualification, picking up points against giants – that was special," he added. In July 2025 Drury was lured back to England to become one of Keith Andrews' first‑team assistants at Brentford. His tenure was short‑lived; after just three Premier League fixtures he left the club in early September.
Director of Football Phil Giles praised his contribution, while Drury reflected, "Brentford is an amazing club with brilliant people. Keith has done an unbelievable job and I enjoyed my time there.
Sometimes you have to decide if a role is the right fit for you, and after honest conversations I felt the need to move on." The abrupt exit forced Drury into an unexpected hiatus. He returned north to be near family, describing the break as his first genuine time away from football in over a decade. "I jumped off the hamster wheel and, looking back, it was productive – I re‑connected with old friends, challenged my thinking and explored new perspectives," he said, half‑joking that he "absolutely despised" the time away. Opportunities surfaced elsewhere, but Drury declined, feeling he needed a longer breather.
Then Liam Manning reached out, inviting him to join Huddersfield Town. Drury had known Manning for a while and felt a strong emotional tie to the club, stating, "Huddersfield is close to my heart, and I was eager to help build something special here." In January 2026 Drury was appointed Manning's assistant manager. By late March, when Manning took compassionate leave 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. On 27 May the club announced Drury's permanent appointment, describing him as the "outstanding" candidate for the role. Despite his earlier lack of ambition to be a head coach, he embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.
"I love coaching, I love being on the training ground, I love working with players. When I believe strongly in a philosophy, I feel compelled to lead it from the front," he explained. Drury also reflected on the club atmosphere during the turbulent end of the season. "It never felt like a hostile environment; most people wanted the best for Huddersfield.
We've already used the summer window to strengthen the squad, and the players who stayed last season have appreciated the work we’ve done," he noted. He acknowledged that building cohesion with new signings would take time, but praised the squad's humility, development‑focused mindset and competitive edge.
Looking ahead, Drury is clear about the identity he wants his team to embody. "When I stand on the touchline I want to see a side that truly represents Huddersfield – players giving everything, running with passion," he said.
As a northern lad himself, he understands the expectations of the local supporters. "If we deliver that intensity, I genuinely believe success will follow, given the quality of our players and staff."