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 decision comes on the back of a disappointing run of form, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in 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 halted earlier in the campaign after a Conference League play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent. That elimination, combined with a worrying domestic record, has intensified the pressure on the coaching staff.
The recent home form has been particularly alarming. Since last season, Hibs have now suffered six straight league defeats on their own turf, a streak that matches a club record that dates back to 1920.
Such a run has left supporters and the board alike questioning the direction of the team. David Gray’s tenure at Easter Road began in earnest 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 coaching, is still remembered fondly by many fans for his decisive goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a strike that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy.
Gray’s early impact as a permanent manager appeared promising. In his first full season, Hibernian finished third in the 2024/25 campaign, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the previous year.
However, the recent dip in results, which now sees the team only two points above the bottom of the table, prompted the club’s hierarchy to act. Hibernian are now looking for their sixth permanent manager in under five years. The list of recent departures includes Jack Ross, who left in December 2021, Shaun Maloney five months later, Lee Johnson the following year, Nick Montgomery in the summer of May 2024, and now David Gray.
In the immediate aftermath of the sacking, assistant coach John Potter has been appointed as interim manager for the upcoming match against Aberdeen on Saturday. The club issued a statement indicating 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 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 sacking underscores a broader pattern of instability at Hibernian, where frequent managerial changes have made it difficult to build a cohesive long‑term strategy.
Fans hope that the next appointment will bring the consistency and vision needed to restore the club to the upper echelons of Scottish football. The upcoming match against Aberdeen will be the first test for interim boss John Potter, and the outcome could offer a glimpse of what lies ahead for the team as they search for a fresh direction.