Martin Drury is a refreshingly candid figure in football, never having imagined himself as a head coach until recent circumstances nudged him into the role. While he briefly managed Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North during the 2015‑16 season, that stint came soon after his playing days ended and he quickly slipped back into the shadows.
Over the following ten years he assembled a varied coaching résumé that included spells at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia, gaining experience across several tiers of English and Spanish football. Now back in his hometown of Huddersfield, Drury holds the reins as the club’s permanent manager. An interim appointment in March 2026, after serving as assistant to Liam Manning, earned him a two‑year contract in May.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports he traced his journey from LaLiga’s bright lights to the challenges of guiding the Terriers out of League One. Drury first crossed paths with fellow English‑born Spaniard Carlos Corberán while both were working at Bradford, the Spaniard then at Leeds United. Their professional relationship deepened in August 2024 when Drury accepted a role as an individual coach at West Brom, where Corberán was part of the staff.
"When I first met Carlos, I felt an immediate connection in terms of work ethic and philosophy," Drury recalled. "Even though we come from different cultures, we share the belief that everything you achieve should be earned through hard work, and we have similar ideas about how to develop players." Corberán departed West Brom for Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024, and Drury followed only days later, taking up the position of his assistant. The move meant abandoning a promising Championship play‑off push in England for the daunting task of keeping Los Murciélagos afloat in Spain’s top flight. Their start was dramatic: on 3 January 2025 they led Real Madrid at the Mestalla until the 85th minute, only for Luka Modrić to equalise and Jude Bellingham to snatch a 96th‑minute winner.
Drury described the experience as a career highlight, saying, "Preparing for that match and facing players like Mbappé, Bellingham and Modrić was exactly the environment I wanted. Winning 2‑1 in the Bernabéu in the dying moments was unforgettable, and the bond we forged with the fans was extraordinary." Although Valencia struggled against Barcelona, Drury relished the chance to train against world‑class talent and learn from some of the best managers on a weekly basis.
He noted that the club had been at the bottom of LaLiga when he arrived, yet they finished the season tantalisingly close to European qualification, a testament to the progress made. In July 2025 Drury returned to England, joining Brentford as one of Keith Andrews’ assistant first‑team coaches.
However, after only three Premier League fixtures he left the club in early September. Director of Football Phil Giles praised Drury’s contribution, saying he had helped lay the groundwork for the season ahead. Drury himself spoke highly of Brentford, describing the organization as "outstanding from top to bottom" and commending Andrews as a "top‑class manager".
He added that sometimes a coach must evaluate whether a role is the right fit, and that his conversations at Brentford were open and honest. The brief Brentford episode forced Drury into an unexpected hiatus. He moved back north to be nearer his family, admitting that it was the first time in over a decade he had taken a genuine break from football – a break he initially despised but ultimately found productive. "I hadn’t had a proper rest for 10‑12 years, so stepping off the hamster wheel allowed me to reconnect with old friends, see new places and challenge my own thinking," he said.
Opportunities arose elsewhere, but Drury turned them down, feeling he needed a little more time away. Then Liam Manning, a former colleague, called him to join Huddersfield Town. Drury had known Manning for a while and felt a strong affinity for Huddersfield, a club close to his heart.
In January 2026 he accepted the role of assistant manager, and by late March, alongside Jon Stead, he assumed charge of the first team when Manning took compassionate leave following the tragic loss of his newborn son Theo in October 2024. During Drury’s interim spell the Terriers recorded two wins and four draws from seven matches, ultimately missing the League One play‑offs by eight points. Nevertheless, the club announced on 27 May that Drury would be appointed permanent manager, describing him as the "outstanding" candidate for the job.
Even though he never originally set out to become a head coach, Drury embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly. "I love coaching, I love being on the training ground, I love working with players," he explained. "When I believe strongly in a particular style, culture and environment, I realise I may have to lead from the front.
The chance presented itself, and the decision was clear." Reflecting on the season’s turbulence, Drury said he never felt the atmosphere was hostile or the staff uncooperative; rather, many wanted the best for the club. He highlighted that the summer transfer window allowed the side to address squad weaknesses, and that players from the previous season would benefit from the improvements.
"Building connections within the group takes time, especially when new faces arrive, but we have a humble, development‑focused group that now possesses a winning edge and a competitive mindset," he added. Drury’s vision is firmly rooted in the identity of northern football.
"When I stand on the touchline, I want to see a team that truly represents Huddersfield – players who run, give everything, and embody the spirit of the north," he said. "As a northern lad myself, I understand what our fans expect.
If we deliver that commitment, I genuinely believe success will follow given the quality of our staff and players." The Terriers’ upcoming clash against Burton Albion on Saturday, 3 October, will be broadcast on Sky Sports+, offering supporters a chance to see Drury’s philosophy in action as the club pushes for promotion.