Hibernian Football Club have terminated the contract of head coach David Gray, with the team currently languishing in ninth place in the Scottish Premiership. The decision comes on the back of a fourth league defeat in just six matches this season, the most recent loss being a 2-0 setback to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. Although the club had shown promise by reaching the semi‑finals of the Scottish League Cup, their European ambitions were abruptly halted when they were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League after a play‑off defeat to Belgian side Gent. This disappointment added to a worrying trend that stretches back to the previous campaign: Hibs have now suffered six straight home league defeats, a run that matches a club record set in 1920.
Gray’s tenure at Easter Road began in June 2024, when the club offered him a three‑year contract after he had already served three separate spells as interim manager. The 38‑year‑old former midfielder, who hung up his boots five years ago to focus on coaching, is a beloved figure in Hibernian folklore. He will always be remembered for the dramatic winner he scored against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final, a goal that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy. When he first took charge on a permanent basis, Gray delivered a respectable third‑place finish in the 2024/25 season, improving on the fifth‑place finish the side achieved the year before.
However, the recent slump – with Hibs now only two points clear of the relegation zone – prompted the board to act. The club’s hierarchy concluded that a change was necessary to halt the slide and restore confidence among supporters. This marks the sixth permanent manager to leave Hibernian in less than five years. The previous departures include Jack Ross in December 2021, Shaun Maloney five months later, Lee Johnson the following year, Nick Montgomery in the summer of May 2024, and now David Gray.
In the interim, assistant coach John Potter will take charge for the upcoming Saturday fixture against Aberdeen, while the club has issued a statement promising that a new permanent manager will be appointed "in due course." Ian Gordon, the club’s executive chairman, issued a heartfelt statement about Gray’s exit: "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." Gray, for his part, remained defiant after the loss to Kilmarnock. 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 dismissal underscores the volatility that has characterised Hibernian's managerial carousel in recent years. Supporters have grown increasingly impatient as the team struggles to find consistency, particularly at Easter Road where the historic home form has traditionally been a source of pride.
The club now faces the dual challenge of stabilising results in the short term while embarking on a thorough search for a long‑term leader who can rebuild the squad, restore confidence, and re‑ignite the passion of the fan base. The upcoming match against Aberdeen will serve as the first test for caretaker John Potter. While Potter is expected to maintain continuity and keep the players focused, the broader strategic direction will hinge on the appointment of a new head coach. The board has indicated that they will conduct a comprehensive recruitment process, looking for a candidate with a clear footballing philosophy, experience in handling pressure situations, and the ability to develop young talent – all qualities deemed essential for reversing Hibs' current fortunes.
In the meantime, Hibernian supporters are urged to remain patient but vocal, as the club navigates this turbulent period. The hope is that the next appointment will bring stability, restore the club’s competitive edge, and ultimately guide Hibs back to the upper echelons of Scottish football, where they belong.