Hibernian Football Club have decided to part ways with head coach David Gray as the team finds itself languishing 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 domestic League Cup, their European ambitions were extinguished earlier in the campaign after a Conference League play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent. The defeat added to a worrying trend that stretches back to the previous season: Hibs have now suffered six straight league defeats on their home turf at Easter Road, a sequence that matches a club record set over a century ago in 1920.
Gray’s tenure at the helm was formalised in June 2024 when he signed a three‑year contract, converting his fourth spell as interim manager into a permanent appointment. The 38‑year‑old former player, who hung up his boots five years ago to concentrate on coaching, is revered by supporters for his dramatic winner against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a goal that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy.
His early days in charge were encouraging; under his guidance Hibernian finished third in the 2024/25 season, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the previous campaign. However, the recent slide down the table, with the team now only two points clear of the relegation zone, prompted the Easter Road board to act. The club’s hierarchy concluded that a change in leadership was necessary to halt the decline.
This termination marks the sixth permanent manager to leave Hibernian in less than five years. The club has cycled through Jack Ross (who departed in December 2021), Shaun Maloney (five months later), Lee Johnson (the following year), Nick Montgomery (who left in May 2024), and now David Gray. In the interim, coach John Potter will step in to lead the side for Saturday’s clash with Aberdeen, while the club has pledged that a new permanent head coach will be announced "in due course." Executive chairman Ian Gordon issued a statement paying tribute to Gray’s contributions: "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 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 volatile nature of football management at Hibernian, where expectations from a passionate fan base clash with on‑field realities. The club now faces the challenge of stabilising its league position while searching for a manager capable of restoring confidence, rebuilding squad morale, and delivering the consistency that has been missing. With the next match looming against Aberdeen, interim coach John Potter will have the immediate task of halting the slide and perhaps providing a brief respite before a permanent appointment is secured. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Hibs can reverse their fortunes or risk further decline in the Premiership race.