Martin Drury is a forthright character who admits that becoming a head coach never featured in his original career blueprint. While he briefly took the reins at Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North during the 2015/16 season, that stint arrived shortly after his playing retirement and he soon slipped back into the shadows. Over the following ten years he crafted a diverse coaching résumé that saw him work at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia, gathering a wealth of experience across different levels of the game.
Now back in his hometown of Huddersfield, Drury has been handed the top job on a permanent basis. An interim spell that began in March 2026 earned him a two‑year contract in May, cementing his status as the club’s chief tactician.
In an interview with Sky Sports he outlines his journey from the Spanish top flight to the English lower leagues, describing how each chapter shaped his philosophy and prepared him for the challenge of lifting the Terriers out of League One. The partnership with Spanish coach Carlos Corberán began when Drury was at Bradford and Corberán was employed by Leeds United. Their professional chemistry sparked in August 2024 when Drury accepted a role as an individual coach at West Brom. "When I first met Carlos, I sensed an immediate connection in our work ethic and our belief that everything you achieve comes from hard work," Drury recalls.
"On the football side we shared the same ideas about player development and the style of play we wanted to implement, despite our different cultural backgrounds." Corberán’s move to Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024 prompted Drury to follow a few days later, taking up the assistant position. The duo abandoned a promising Championship play‑off push to tackle the daunting task of keeping Los Murcielagos afloat in LaLiga.
Their early tenure looked auspicious, as Valencia led Real Madrid at the Mestalla until the 85th minute on 3 January 2025, only for Luka Modrić to equalise and Jude Bellingham to snatch a 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 says. "Playing them again later in the season and winning 2‑1 in the dying moments at the Bernabéu was a career highlight.
The bond we forged with the fans was extraordinary." Although Valencia struggled against Barcelona, Drury relished the chance to work against world‑class opposition and to learn from some of the best managers in the sport. "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 incredibly special," he adds. In July 2025 Drury returned to England, joining Keith Andrews’ backroom staff at Brentford as an assistant first‑team coach. However, after only three Premier League fixtures he departed in early September.
Brentford director of football Phil Giles praised his contribution, noting that Drury had helped lay the foundations for the upcoming season. Drury himself expressed admiration for the club, saying, "They are outstanding from top to bottom, Keith has done an unbelievable job and I truly enjoyed my time there.
Sometimes in football you have to assess whether a role is right for you and whether you are the right fit for the club. The conversations were open and honest, and I look at Brentford from afar with great respect." The abrupt exit from west London forced Drury into an unexpected hiatus. He moved back north to be nearer to family, describing the break as his first real time away from football in over a decade. "I hadn’t had a proper break for 10‑12 years, so stepping off the hamster wheel was surprisingly productive – I reconnected with old friends, explored new interests and challenged my own thinking," he jokes.
He turned down several offers during this period, feeling he needed more time before jumping back into the game. A call from Liam Manning changed the equation. Manning, who was then the manager of Huddersfield Town, invited Drury to join his staff. Drury, who had known Manning for a while and felt a personal connection to Huddersfield, accepted eagerly, saying, "Huddersfield is close to my heart; I was excited about the prospect of building something special here." In January 2026 Drury was appointed Manning’s assistant manager.
By late March, following Manning’s compassionate leave after the tragic loss of his newborn son Theo in October 2024, Drury, alongside former striker Jon Stead, stepped up as caretaker manager. The club’s official statement confirmed the personal circumstances behind Manning’s absence. During his caretaker spell Drury oversaw seven matches, securing two wins and four draws. Although the Terriers fell short of the League One play‑offs by eight points, the performances demonstrated a clear improvement in consistency and morale.
On 27 May the club announced Drury’s permanent appointment, describing him as the "outstanding" candidate to lead Huddersfield into the future. Despite his earlier reluctance to pursue a head‑coaching role, Drury now embraces the project fully. "I love coaching, I love being on the training ground, I love working with players – but I’m also driven by belief.
When I’m convinced of a particular way of working, a culture and an environment I want to create, I realise I may need to lead from the front," he explains. He acknowledges that the path to a stable, competitive side will require patience: "We’ve already had a transfer window to strengthen the squad, and the players who were here last season have appreciated the work we’ve done.
Building chemistry takes time, especially when new faces arrive." Drury emphasizes the importance of a northern identity for his team. "When I stand on the touchline I want to see a side that embodies Huddersfield – players giving everything, running with passion," he says. "Being a northern lad myself, I understand what the fans expect. If we deliver that intensity, I truly believe success will follow, given the quality of our players and staff." Looking ahead, Drury is focused on fostering a humble yet ambitious atmosphere where development is paramount and a winning mentality is ingrained.
He stresses that the club’s recent stability, combined with strategic recruitment and a clear playing philosophy, positions Huddersfield Town to challenge for promotion in the coming seasons.