Former West Brom coach Martin Drury a frontrunner for first permanent head coach role | OneFootball

Martin Drury is a leading contender for his first permanent league head coach role after stepping in as Huddersfield Town’s acting boss.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the 40-year-old, who worked under Carlos Corberan at The Hawthorns, has led the Terriers since late March alongside assistant Jon Stead after Liam Manning took compassionate leave. The club have been pleased with how the pair steered the final month.

It was confirmed earlier in May that former Bristol City and Norwich boss Manning would not return. His leave related to ongoing personal matters following the death of his newborn son, Theo, in October 2024.

Under Drury, Huddersfield lost only once in seven games, drawing four, in the run-in, and finished ninth in the third tier.

Born in Huddersfield, Drury retired at 28 and began management at non-league Bradford Park Avenue.

He spent around six years with Bradford City before moving to Manchester United’s academy in 2022.

Corberan and Drury worked together at Leeds and Huddersfield, and in 2024 Drury joined him at The Hawthorns as an assistant.

Drury’s Albion spell lasted from August to January 2025, after which he followed Corberan to Valencia. Corberan has been in charge there for 18 months and led the club to ninth in La Liga.

Drury spent half a season at the Mestalla, then returned to England as assistant coach under Keith Andrews at Brentford. He rejoined Huddersfield as assistant in January and has overseen the run-in with Stead.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com