Huddersfield Town will be led by Martin Drury and Jon Stead for the remainder of the season after head coach Liam Manning was granted compassionate leave.
Huddersfield Town have confirmed that head coach Liam Manning will step away from first-team duties for the rest of the 2025-26 season, with assistant coach Martin Drury and first-team coach Jon Stead taking joint charge.
The decision comes following ongoing personal circumstances relating to the tragic passing of Manning’s newborn son, Theo, in October 2024, with the club confirming he will now take time away from football.
The Terriers released a full statement confirming the situation and outlining the temporary management structure for the remainder of the campaign.
“Huddersfield Town men’s first team head coach Liam Manning has been granted compassionate leave for the remainder of the 2025/26 Sky Bet League One season.
“Liam has made the club aware of ongoing personal matters relating to the tragic passing of his newborn son Theo in October 2024, and he will now be given time away from his professional duties.
“Liam, his wife Fran, their eldest son Isaac, and the entire Manning family have the full support of everyone at Huddersfield Town, and we will keep in regular contact with Liam and those close to him.
“We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time.
“Our men’s First Team will be led jointly by Martin Drury and Jon Stead for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, with ongoing support from our wider existing Men’s First Team staff.”
Drury and Stead will begin their spell in charge with Huddersfield’s home fixture against Reading on Friday, April 3, as Town continue their League One campaign without their head coach on the touchline.
Manning has been in charge at the John Smith’s Stadium during the current League One season and Huddersfield have been competing in the upper half of the table, making this a significant change at an important stage of the campaign.
Huddersfield remain one of the sides chasing the top positions in League One, and with several weeks of the season remaining, the Terriers will now attempt to finish the campaign strongly under interim leadership while Manning takes the time away that he needs with his family.
Everyone at the Stacey West wishes Liam and his family all the best.