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 heels of a fourth league defeat in six matches this season, a loss that saw the Edinburgh side fall to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. Although the club managed to reach the semi‑finals of the domestic League Cup, their European ambitions were extinguished earlier this year when they were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League after a play‑off defeat to Belgian side Gent.
The recent run of poor form has historic overtones: stretching back to the previous campaign, Hibs have now endured six consecutive league defeats on their home turf at Easter Road, a sequence that matches a club record that had not been equalled since 1920. Gray’s appointment was made permanent in June 2024, when he signed a three‑year contract after serving four separate spells as interim manager.
The 38‑year‑old former player, who hung up his boots five years ago to focus on a coaching career, is remembered fondly by supporters for scoring the decisive goal against Rangers in 2016 – a strike that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the Scottish Cup. His early tenure appeared promising; Hibernian finished third in the 2024/25 season under his guidance, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish recorded the season before his permanent appointment.
However, the recent slump – with the team now only two points above the relegation zone – prompted the Easter Road board to act, concluding that a change at the helm was required. This marks the sixth permanent managerial appointment in less than five years for Hibs. Previous departures include Jack Ross in December 2021, Shaun Maloney five months later, Lee Johnson the following year, and Nick Montgomery in the summer of May 2024, before Gray’s own exit. In the immediate aftermath, assistant coach John Potter has been named caretaker manager for the upcoming Saturday fixture against Aberdeen.
The club issued a statement indicating that a new permanent head coach will be announced "in due course." Executive chairman Ian Gordon offered a heartfelt tribute to Gray, stating: "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 Tuesday defeat to Kilmarnock.
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 volatility that has characterised Hibernian’s managerial landscape in recent years.
Frequent changes at the top have often been linked to inconsistent performances, and the club’s supporters have grown increasingly restless as the team struggles to translate occasional cup runs into sustained league success. Looking ahead, the caretaker period under John Potter offers a brief window for the squad to regroup before a new permanent manager is installed. The board has indicated that the search will be thorough, aiming to find a candidate capable of restoring stability, improving home form, and ultimately steering the club clear of relegation danger.
For Hibernian fans, the departure of a beloved figure like Gray is a bittersweet moment. While his contributions – both as a player who etched his name into club folklore and as a coach who guided the team to respectable cup performances – will be remembered, the pressing need for results in the Premiership has forced the club’s hierarchy to make a difficult decision.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the next appointment can break the cycle of short‑lived tenures and deliver the consistency that Easter Road has been yearning for.