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 disappointing run of form that has seen the club suffer four league defeats in their last six matches, the most recent loss coming at the hands of bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
While the side has managed to reach the semi‑final stage 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. The defeat added to a growing sense of frustration among supporters and the board alike.
The recent poor run is part of a broader pattern of home‑ground struggles that stretches back to the previous season. Hibs have now endured six consecutive league defeats at Easter Road, a sequence that matches a club record set in 1920. The historic low point underscores the urgency felt by the club hierarchy to reverse the trend. Gray, who was appointed on a permanent three‑year contract in June 2024 after serving as interim manager on four separate occasions, is a 38‑year‑old former player who retired five years ago to pursue a career in coaching.
He is fondly remembered by the Hibernian faithful for his dramatic 2016 Scottish Cup winner’s goal against Rangers, a strike that ended a 114‑year drought for the club. His early tenure as head coach showed promise.
In the 2024/25 season he guided Hibs to a third‑place finish, improving on the fifth‑place finish the team recorded the season before his appointment. However, the recent slide down the table, with the club now just two points above the relegation zone, prompted the board to act. The sacking marks the sixth permanent managerial change at Easter Road in under five years. Previous departures include Jack Ross in December 2021, Shaun Maloney five months later, Lee Johnson the following year, and Nick Montgomery in May 2024.
The turnover has contributed to a perception of instability that the club hopes to end with a new appointment. Assistant coach John Potter has been named interim manager for the upcoming fixture against Aberdeen, and the club issued a statement confirming that a permanent head coach will be announced "in due course". Club 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." Despite the club's decision, Gray remained defiant after the Tuesday defeat to Kilmarnock. In an 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 managerial upheaval comes at a challenging time for Hibernian, who must now focus on stabilising their league position while navigating cup commitments.
The club's supporters will be hoping that the appointment of a new permanent manager can restore confidence, bring tactical clarity, and halt the string of home defeats that have haunted the team for months. The interim period under John Potter will be closely watched, as any positive result could provide a much‑needed boost before the permanent appointment is confirmed. As the season progresses, Hibernian will need to address several key issues: improving defensive solidity at Easter Road, finding a reliable goal‑scoring outlet, and restoring the mental resilience that appears to have eroded during the recent slump.
The board has indicated that a thorough recruitment process is underway, with several experienced candidates reportedly under consideration. In summary, the dismissal of David Gray reflects the club's urgent desire to reverse a worrying decline in form. While his tenure featured memorable highs, including a historic cup‑winning goal and a respectable league finish, the current trajectory forced the board's hand. The coming weeks will be pivotal for Hibernian as they seek to appoint a new leader who can guide the team back to stability and, ultimately, to the upper echelons of Scottish football.