Martin Drury is a forthright character who admits that becoming a head coach never featured in his original career blueprint. Though 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 days ended and he soon slipped back into the shadows. Over the following ten years he assembled a varied coaching résumé, holding roles at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia. Today he is back in his hometown, Huddersfield, where he now commands the Terriers as the permanent manager—a position that evolved from an interim appointment in March to a two‑year contract in May.
In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Drury traced his journey from the Spanish top flight to England’s lower leagues, explaining how his experiences abroad shaped his current ambitions for Huddersfield. He first crossed paths with Spanish coach Carlos Corberán while both were working at Bradford, and the two re‑connected in August 2024 when Drury was hired as an individual coach at West Brom.
"When I first met Carlos, I felt we clicked on a work‑ethic level and shared a belief that everything you achieve comes from hard work," Drury recalled. "On the football side we were on the same page about how we could develop players, despite coming from different cultures." Corberán departed for Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024, and Drury followed only days later, taking up the role of his assistant. The move meant abandoning a promising Championship play‑off push in England for the challenge of keeping Los Murcielagos afloat in LaLiga. The pair made an instant impact, leading Valencia to a 2‑1 advantage over Real Madrid at the Mestalla until the 85th minute on 3 January 2025, when Luka Modrić equalised and Jude Bellingham netted a dramatic 96th‑minute winner.
Drury reminisced, "I remember preparing for that game and thinking this was the environment I wanted – battling players like Mbappé, Bellingham and Modrić. To face them again later in the Bernabéu and win 2‑1 in stoppage time was the highlight of my career and forged a special bond with the fans." He added that, although Valencia struggled in the two fixtures against Barcelona, the exposure to world‑class talent and the chance to devise tactics against some of the best managers in the game was an experience he cherished.
"When we arrived, the club were at the bottom of the table, and to finish the season just shy of European qualification, picking up points against giants, was something special," he said. In July 2025 Drury returned to England, joining Brentford as one of Keith Andrews' assistant first‑team coaches.
However, after only three Premier League matches, he left the club in early September. Director of Football Phil Giles praised his contribution, noting that Drury had helped lay the foundations for the upcoming season. Drury himself spoke highly of Brentford, describing the organization as "outstanding from top to bottom" and lauding Keith Andrews as "an unbelievable manager". He explained that the short tenure was simply a matter of fit: "Sometimes in football you have to assess whether the club is right for you and vice‑versa.
The conversations were open and honest, and I’m happy with how Brentford performed last season. I truly believe they will be even stronger this year." The abrupt exit prompted a brief hiatus. Drury moved back north to be nearer his family, taking his first real break 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 ideas and challenged my own thinking," he admitted with a smile.
Though he received several offers from other clubs, he declined, feeling he needed a little more time away. Then a call from Liam Manning arrived, inviting him to join Huddersfield’s coaching staff.
Drury had known Manning for some time, and the prospect of working with his hometown club appealed strongly. In January 2026 Drury was appointed assistant manager to Manning, and by late March he stepped up alongside Jon Stead to lead the side when Manning took compassionate leave following the tragic loss of his newborn son, Theo, in October 2024. During his interim spell the Terriers recorded two wins and four draws from seven games, 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, describing him as the "outstanding" candidate for the job. Despite his earlier reluctance to become a head coach, Drury now embraces the challenge fully. "I love coaching, I love being on the training ground, I love working with players – but I’m also driven.
When I truly believe in something, I feel strongly about it," he explained. He reflected on his philosophy: "In the back of my mind I thought that if I felt strongly about a particular culture and environment, maybe I’d have to lead from the front. I wasn’t actively seeking a managerial role, but football rarely follows a straight line. When the opportunity appeared, the decision was clear." Drury also addressed the turbulence that surfaced toward the end of the season, insisting it never created a hostile atmosphere.
"There were always people who wanted the best for the club. We’ve already had a transfer window to address areas we needed to strengthen, and I think the squad from last season appreciates the work we’ve done because it will benefit them moving forward," he said.
He acknowledged that integrating new signings takes time: "Building connections within the group will always require patience, but we have a humble, hardworking bunch who are focused on development, have a winning edge and a competitive mindset." His vision for Huddersfield is rooted in northern grit. "When I stand on the side of the pitch I want to see a team that embodies Huddersfield – players running, giving everything they have," he declared. As a native of the north, he feels a deep understanding of what local supporters expect. "If we deliver that intensity, I genuinely believe that, with the players and staff we have, success will follow." The Terriers’ upcoming clash with Burton Albion on Sky Sports+ this Saturday at 3 pm offers fans a chance to see Drury’s ideas in action as the club strives to climb back into the Championship.