Martin Drury is a candid, no‑nonsense figure who admits that becoming a head coach never featured on his career roadmap. After a brief stint as manager of Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North during the 2015‑16 season—just a few months after hanging up his boots—he slipped back into the shadows.
Over the following ten years he assembled a diverse coaching résumé that included roles at Boston United, Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia CF. Now back in his hometown of Huddersfield, Drury has taken the reins of the Terriers on a permanent basis.
An interim spell that began in March earned him a two‑year contract in May, and he has since spoken to Sky Sports about his winding path from Spain’s LaLiga to England’s Premier League and his current mission to lift Huddersfield out of League One. Drury first crossed paths with Spanish coach Carlos Corberán while both were working in Yorkshire—Drury at Bradford and Corberán at Leeds. Their professional chemistry sparked in August 2024 when Drury joined West Brom as an individual coach under Corberán’s leadership. "When I met Carlos, I instantly sensed a shared work ethic and a common belief that everything you achieve comes from hard work," Drury recalled.
"On the tactical side we were on the same page, despite our different cultural backgrounds." Corberán departed for Valencia on Christmas Eve 2024, and Drury followed only days later, accepting the role of assistant coach. The move meant abandoning a promising Championship play‑off chase in England for the challenge of keeping Los Murcielagos afloat in Spain’s top flight. The pair made an immediate impact, briefly leading Real Madrid at the Mestalla before Luka Modrić equalised in the 85th minute on 3 January 2025, and Jude Bellingham snatched a 96th‑minute winner for the visitors. "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 said.
"Playing them again later in the season at the Bernabéu and winning 2‑1 in the final minute was the highlight of my career, and the bond we forged with the fans was extraordinary." Although the team fell short in both fixtures against Barcelona, Drury cherished the chance to observe world‑class talent and to devise game plans against some of the finest managers on a weekly basis. "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—something special," he added. In July 2025 Drury returned to England, taking a role as one of Keith Andrews’ assistant first‑team coaches at Brentford.
However, after only three Premier League games, he left the club in early September. Director of Football Phil Giles praised his contribution, noting that Drury had helped lay the groundwork for the upcoming season. Drury himself spoke highly of Brentford’s structure: "It’s an amazing club with brilliant people.
Keith has done an unbelievable job and I truly enjoyed my time there. Sometimes you have to decide if a club is the right fit for you, and the conversations we had were open and honest." The brief West London episode forced an unexpected hiatus in Drury’s career. He moved back north to be nearer his family, admitting that stepping away from football for the first time in over a decade was both uncomfortable and enlightening.
"I hadn’t taken a break in 10‑12 years, so I jumped off the hamster wheel. It turned out to be productive—reconnecting with old friends, seeing new places, challenging my own thinking," he said with a hint of humor. Opportunities at other clubs arose, but Drury declined, feeling he needed more time away.
Then Liam Manning reached out, inviting him to join Huddersfield’s coaching staff. Having known Manning for a while and feeling a personal connection to the club, Drury accepted the call. In January 2026 he became Manning’s assistant manager, and by late March, alongside Jon Stead, he stepped up as caretaker when Manning took compassionate leave following the tragic loss of his newborn son Theo in October 2024. During his caretaker spell, Huddersfield 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 had earned the permanent head‑coach role, describing him as the "outstanding" candidate for the position. Although he never set out to be a head coach, Drury is now fully committed to the Huddersfield project. "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. He added that the club’s environment never felt hostile, even during a turbulent end‑of‑season period, and that many staff members genuinely wanted the best for Huddersfield. Looking ahead, Drury emphasises squad development and cultural identity. "We’ve already had a transfer window to address areas we needed to strengthen.
The players who were here last season will appreciate the work we’ve done because it will help them progress," he noted. He acknowledged that building cohesion takes time, especially when new faces arrive, but praised the humility and competitive drive of the current group.
For Drury, the ultimate goal is to embody the spirit of the North. "When I stand on the touchline I want to see a team that represents Huddersfield—players giving everything, running with passion," he said. "As a northern lad, I understand what the fans expect.
If we deliver that intensity, I truly believe success will follow given the talent and staff we have." The Terriers’ next challenge comes with a live broadcast of the Burton‑Huddersfield clash on Sky Sports+ on Saturday, 3 October, kick‑off at 3 pm. Fans can also try their luck in the Super 6 competition for a chance at a £1 million prize.