Drury targets League One rise after Valencia and Brentford spells

Huddersfield-born Martin Drury has signed a two-year deal to continue as head coach of Huddersfield Town after impressing during an interim spell that began in late March.

The 40-year-old stepped up from assistant when Liam Manning took compassionate leave and guided the Terriers to two wins and four draws in seven League One matches, finishing eight points shy of the play-offs. Club officials announced on 27 May that Drury was the “outstanding” candidate for the permanent role.

From Mestalla pressure to hometown dug-out

Drury’s coaching path has already spanned the National League North, Premier League and LaLiga. He first linked up with Carlos Corberán at West Brom in August 2024, then followed the Spaniard to Valencia days after Christmas Eve the same year.

The six-month Spanish stint provided memories he still savours. Valencia led Real Madrid at Mestalla on 3 January 2025 until Luka Modrić equalised in the 85th minute and Jude Bellingham struck a 96th-minute winner. “To play them again at the back end of the season and win 2-1, in the last minute, in the Bernabéu, was naturally the highlight,” Drury told Sky Sports, noting the “so, so special” connection with Valencia supporters as the club climbed from bottom of LaLiga to the fringes of European qualification.

A move to Brentford followed in July 2025, where Drury served as one of Keith Andrews’ assistants. He left in early September after just three Premier League fixtures, receiving praise from director of football Phil Giles for “setting us up for the season ahead”. Reflecting, Drury called Brentford “outstanding from top to bottom” but felt the fit was not right for him at that time.

Building a northern identity

Returning north, Drury briefly stepped away from day-to-day football before Manning invited him to join Huddersfield’s staff in January 2026. “Huddersfield’s close to my heart,” he said. “When I’m standing on the side of the pitch, I want to see players running and giving absolutely everything. Being a northern lad, I know what these fans want.”

With one transfer window already completed, Drury believes the squad is moving in the right direction: “There’s some connection building in the group… it’s a real humble group of men where every day the environment is driven by development, with a real winning edge.”

Drury insists his elevation to the top job stemmed from a conviction that the culture he envisions can only be created “from the front”. “I love coaching, I love being on the grass, I love working with players – but I’m pretty driven and, when I really believe in something, I can feel very strongly about it,” he explained.

What’s next?

Huddersfield travel to Burton Albion on Saturday, 3 October, with a 3 pm kick-off live on Sky Sports+. Drury’s immediate task is to convert the “humble” work ethic he praises into the consistent results required to end Town’s stay in League One.

Over the longer term, Drury believes, “If we do that, I have genuine belief that, because of the players and staff we have, success will be achieved,” he says.