Hibernian Football Club have terminated the contract of head coach David Gray as the team languishes in ninth place in the Scottish Premiership. The decision comes on the back of a dismal run of form, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in just six matches this season when the Edinburgh side were beaten by bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. While the club did manage to reach the semi‑final stage of the Scottish League Cup, their European ambitions were extinguished earlier in the campaign when they fell to Belgian side Gent in the UEFA Conference League play‑off round.
The loss added to a growing sense of frustration among supporters and the board alike. Historically, the Easter Road outfit have now suffered six straight league defeats on home turf – a sequence that matches a club record set back in 1920. The string of poor results has put the team just two points above the relegation zone, prompting the hierarchy to act decisively.
Gray’s tenure at Hibs began in June 2024 when he was handed a three‑year contract, solidifying his position after several spells as interim manager. The 38‑year‑old former player had hung up his boots five years earlier to concentrate on coaching, and he quickly became a fan favourite for his decisive goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a strike that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy.
His early days in charge looked promising. In the 2024/25 season, Hibs were sitting in third place for a period, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the previous campaign. However, the recent slump has erased those gains and left the club’s future in doubt.
The board’s statement indicated that a sixth permanent manager will be appointed within the next few months, adding to a recent carousel of appointments that has seen Jack Ross leave in December 2021, Shaun Maloney depart five months later, Lee Johnson exit the following year, Nick Montgomery step down in May 2024, and now Gray’s departure. In the interim, first‑team coach John Potter will take charge of the upcoming match against Aberdeen on Saturday. The club also confirmed that a new permanent head coach will be announced "in due course".
Executive chairman Ian Gordon issued a heartfelt tribute to Gray, saying: "Dave has been an inspirational figure at the club during his time here, and he has been a true friend and fantastic colleague to so many at the football club. On behalf of my family, I would like to personally thank him for everything he has done for us since we joined the club. As a person, he constantly set the standard with his attitude, professionalism and general work ethic and he will be sorely missed around the building by all the players and staff.
On the pitch, he has delivered some incredible moments for our fans, and brought a level of stability and consistency that we haven't reached in recent years. Ultimately, this is a decision that we have not taken lightly, but unfortunately, one as a board we had to make due to the recent downturn of results and performances." Despite the club’s decision, Gray remained defiant after the Kilmarnock defeat.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I've been here during difficult times and I've been here during good times and you can't just say it's brilliant when things are going well and then not expect a bit of criticism when things aren't. In terms of asking for patience, the fans are frustrated because we're not achieving what we need to be at this stage and winning enough games consistently, especially at home. And I accept that. All I can say is until someone tells me otherwise, I will be doing everything in my power, everything I possibly can as I have done at this football club to turn it around and I believe we can.
It's a difficult time for everybody, the players, football club, because we've lost again off the back of a good result at the weekend and then failed to back it up again." The sacking underscores a broader pattern of instability at Hibernian, where frequent managerial changes have hindered the development of a cohesive playing style and long‑term strategic vision. Fans have expressed concern that the revolving door of coaches makes it difficult to build a squad capable of challenging for honors or even securing mid‑table safety. Looking ahead, the club will need to identify a manager who can restore confidence, implement a clear tactical identity, and reconnect with a fan base that has endured repeated disappointment.
The upcoming fixture against Aberdeen will be overseen by Potter, offering a short‑term glimpse of how the squad might respond without Gray at the helm. In the broader context of Scottish football, Hibs' struggles reflect the competitive nature of the Premiership, where clubs with limited resources must balance ambition with financial prudence. The upcoming appointment will be crucial not only for the immediate goal of avoiding relegation but also for laying the groundwork for sustainable success in future seasons.
As the club moves forward, supporters will be watching closely to see whether the new manager can break the home‑defeat streak, rejuvenate the team's attacking play, and bring back the optimism that once made Hibernian a regular contender in domestic competitions.