Hibernian Football Club have relieved head coach David Gray of his duties, with the team currently sitting ninth in the Scottish Premiership. The decision comes on the back of a fourth league defeat in just six matches this campaign, following a loss to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
Although the club managed to reach the semi‑final stage of the Scottish League Cup, their European ambitions were halted earlier in the season when they were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League after a play‑off defeat to Belgian side Gent. The recent run of poor results has historical resonance: stretching back to the previous season, Hibs have now suffered six straight league defeats at Easter Road, a streak that matches a club record set in 1920. Gray’s tenure began in June 2024 when he was handed a permanent three‑year contract after serving as interim manager on four separate occasions.
The 38‑year‑old former player, who hung up his boots five years ago to pursue a coaching career, is a beloved figure at the club, famously scoring the winning goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a moment that ended a 114‑year drought for Hibs. His initial impact was encouraging; under his guidance the team finished third in the 2024/25 season, improving on a fifth‑place finish the year before. However, with the side now only two points above the relegation zone, the club’s board concluded that a change was necessary. The appointment marks Hibernian’s sixth permanent manager in less than five years.
The previous five – Jack Ross (departed December 2021), Shaun Maloney (five months later), Lee Johnson (the following year), Nick Montgomery (summer 2024) and now Gray – illustrate a period of considerable turnover at the helm. Assistant coach John Potter will step in as interim manager for the upcoming Saturday fixture against Aberdeen. In a club statement, officials added that a new permanent head coach will be announced "in due course".
Executive Chairman Ian Gordon issued a heartfelt statement about Gray’s departure: "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, however, remained defiant after the Kilmarnock loss. In a post‑match interview with 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 pressure that Scottish clubs face to deliver results quickly, especially when competing on multiple fronts. Hibernian’s board will now embark on a search for a manager capable of restoring confidence, stabilising home form, and ultimately guiding the club back into the upper echelons of the Premiership. The interim period under Potter offers a brief window for the squad to regroup, while supporters hope that the next permanent appointment will bring the consistency and resilience that have been missing this season.