Jon Stead named Huddersfield Town assistant after Drury appointment | OneFootball

Jon Stead has taken an assistant coaching role at Huddersfield Town after Martin Drury was named permanent head coach.

According to Sunderland Echo, the move comes after the League One season ended, with Stead set to join Drury’s backroom team.

The former Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers striker returned to his hometown club earlier this year, working with the first team after Liam Manning’s arrival in January 2026. He will now remain as Drury leads the Terriers.

The 43-year-old joined Sunderland from Blackburn in 2005, making 40 appearances and scoring twice. His first goal came at Everton in April 2006, his second in defeat at Southend in August 2006.

After a loan at Derby County, he left for Sheffield United in January 2007. His career also took in Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Notts County, Harrogate Town and two spells with Huddersfield.

An academy graduate, he debuted for Huddersfield in 2002 and hit 18 goals in 2003-04, earning a move to Premier League Blackburn.

Stead retired in 2021 after more than 700 senior games and 165 goals, then held assistant roles with Hartford Athletic, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Barnsley and Bristol Rovers before returning to Huddersfield.

His latest post strengthens those ties at the John Smith’s Stadium. Former Sunderland man Lynden Gooch remains on the books and would work under Stead next season should he stay this summer.

Source: Sunderland Echo