Credit: Imago

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 8 May 2026 10:27, UK

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Huddersfield Town are set to offer Martin Drury and Jon Stead the manager’s job on a permanent basis, sources have told Football Insider.

Drury, 40, and Stead, 43, have impressed at the League One outfit since becoming joint caretaker managers after Liam Manning went on compassionate leave in March.

To date, they have overseen two wins, four draws and one defeat in seven matches, which resulted in a ninth-place finish for the Terriers this season.

Stead had never been a manager before his current role at Huddersfield, whereas Drury had a brief spell in charge of Bradford Park Avenue between 2015 and 2016 before being caretaker manager of Bradford City in 2019.

Now, the duo are set to face the task of returning Huddersfield to the Championship as they prepare for their third consecutive season in League One.

How successful have Martin Drury and Jon Stead been?

Despite their short time in charge, Drury and Stead have had a big impact.

The duo have made a habit of overseeing high-scoring games in League One, with each one having at least two goals.

Drury and Stead are perhaps unlucky not to pick up an additional two victories with 101^st-minute equalisers for both Wycombe Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers robbing the Terriers of four points.

While their 4-1 defeat to Mansfield Town was a slight cause for concern at the end of April, the joint-caretaker managers ensured the club bounced back in style on the final day with a 4-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Full-time in the capital! ✅

Thank you for your incredible support this season, Terriers.

Up the Town💙#htafc | @sbk pic.twitter.com/qbWWo6lzGB

— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) May 2, 2026

As a result, with more time, they could prove to have a big impact, especially if they can sort out their leaky backline.

Can Huddersfield finally return to the Championship?

Since their relegation to League One, Huddersfield haven’t really got close to returning.

Both seasons, they have remained outside of the playoffs and ended this campaign seven points off the top six in what was another disappointing finish.

With the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City now dropping into the third tier, Drury and Stead face a massive challenge if they are to make Huddersfield promotion candidates.

However, as long as they can fix their defensive issues and their awful endings to matches, they may have a chance to achieve this next season.