Hibernian Football Club have decided to part ways with head coach David Gray as the team languishes in ninth place in the Scottish Premiership. The termination comes on the heels of a fourth league loss in just six matches this campaign, the most recent setback being a defeat to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
Although the side managed to reach the semi‑finals of the Scottish League Cup, their European aspirations were extinguished after a Conference League play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent. The defeat added to a worrying trend: Hibs have now suffered six straight league defeats at Easter Road, matching a club record that dates back to 1920. Gray’s tenure was formalised in June 2024 when he signed a three‑year contract after serving four separate spells as caretaker manager.
The 38‑year‑old former player, who hung up his boots five years ago to concentrate on coaching, is a beloved figure at the club. He will forever be remembered for his dramatic winner against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final, a goal that ended a 114‑year wait for the trophy.
When he first took charge on a permanent basis, Gray oversaw a respectable third‑place finish in the 2024/25 season, improving on the fifth‑place finish the previous year. However, with the team now only two points clear of the relegation zone, the club’s hierarchy concluded that a change was necessary. Hibernian are now in search of a sixth permanent manager in less than five years.
Their recent managerial carousel includes Jack Ross, who left in December 2021, Shaun Maloney, who departed five months later, Lee Johnson, who exited the following year, Nick Montgomery, who was relieved of his duties in May 2024, and now David Gray. In the short term, first‑team coach John Potter will assume interim responsibility for the upcoming Saturday fixture against Aberdeen. The club added in a statement that a new permanent head coach will be announced "in due course." Executive chairman Ian Gordon issued a heartfelt tribute to Gray, saying: "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 remarked: "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 remain high and the margin for error is thin. As the club looks ahead, the challenge will be to find a manager capable of stabilising the side, restoring confidence among supporters, and ultimately steering the team away from the relegation battle.
The interim period under John Potter offers a brief window for the players to regroup, but the pressure will mount quickly as the search for a long‑term solution begins. Hibernian supporters will be hoping that the next appointment can recapture the spirit that made Gray a club legend, while also delivering the consistency and results needed to climb the Premiership table and re‑establish the club as a competitive force both domestically and in Europe.