Martin Drury named Huddersfield Town head coach after rigorous search
Huddersfield Town have appointed Martin Drury as head coach following a competitive recruitment process. The 40-year-old takes over after caretaker spells by Liam Manning and Lee Grant amid a turbulent year for the League One side.
Huddersfield Town has named Martin Drury as its new head coach, finalising a near-month-long search that began when Liam Manning was granted compassionate leave. The 40-year-old takes charge after overseeing seven matches as caretaker, including two wins that secured a ninth-place finish in League One. His appointment marks the club’s third change in leadership since June 2025.
📋 By The Numbers
- 7 games — Caretaker record under Drury: 2 wins, 3 draws, 2 defeats
- 9th place — Final League One position in the 2025-26 season
- 3 coaches — Drury joins Lee Grant and Liam Manning as head coaches since June 2025
Drury will be joined by assistant Jon Stead, a former Town striker who also stepped in during Manning’s absence. Sporting director Chris Markham cited Drury’s “elite” coaching pedigree and his “impressive” handling of a fragile situation during the final months of the campaign as decisive factors. “We needed someone who could steady the ship and deliver results under pressure,” Markham said. “Martin did exactly that.”
The appointment follows a full recruitment process that included interviews with multiple candidates over three weeks. Drury emerged as the unanimous choice despite competing against profiles with vastly different backgrounds. His deep ties to Yorkshire—born and raised in Huddersfield—were noted as a cultural fit, though the club insisted the decision was rooted in performance, not geography.
| Coaching Tenure | Manager | Matches | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | Lee Grant | 12 | 5 |
| July 2025 – March 2026 | Liam Manning | 38 | 14 |
| March – May 2026 | Martin Drury (caretaker) | 7 | 2 |
Drury’s coaching journey began at non-league Bradford Park Avenue before roles at Bradford City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion, Valencia CF, and Brentford. He joined Huddersfield in January as part of Manning’s staff and stepped up when the club faced a crisis of confidence. “We were under no illusions about the task ahead,” Drury said. “But I believe in this group, and we’re ready to move forward together.”
Key Points
- ✅ Martin Drury appointed head coach after competitive recruitment process
- ⚡ Former caretaker led team to two wins from seven games in final stretch
- 💡 Club cites leadership under pressure as decisive factor in appointment
The Terriers now face a summer of rebuilding with Drury at the helm. League One rivals will be watching closely, as will fans eager for stability after a season of flux. Drury has already begun reshaping his backroom team, with further announcements expected next week.
- First move — Stead retained as assistant, signalling continuity from caretaker set-up
- Second priority — Drury identified defensive structure as the “most urgent” area needing improvement
- Third challenge — Club targets top-six finish in 2026-27, a climb of at least seven places
With the squad unsettled by recent changes, Drury’s next task is clear: restore belief. His first full pre-season begins in June, with friendlies against York City and Harrogate Town. The club has not confirmed a contract length, but insiders suggest a multi-year deal is likely.
💡 Pro Tip
For clubs in transition, appointing an internal caretaker as permanent head coach can reduce onboarding time—if they deliver results. Drury’s seamless shift from interim to leader may become a blueprint if his early tenure proves successful.
The appointment ends weeks of speculation over Huddersfield’s future direction. Whether Drury can translate caretaker success into a permanent managerial career remains the club’s central question—and the defining narrative of their 2026-27 season.