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, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in six matches this season when the Edinburgh side were beaten by bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
Although the club managed to reach the semi‑final stage of the domestic League Cup, their European campaign ended abruptly after a Conference League play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent. The defeat added to a growing sense of frustration among supporters and the board alike.
The recent slump has historic overtones. Since the start of last season, Hibs have suffered six straight league defeats at Easter Road, a run that matches a club record that dates back to 1920. The streak underscores how far the team has slipped from its previous standing. Gray’s appointment was initially a cause for optimism.
After serving as interim manager on four separate occasions, he was given a permanent three‑year contract in June 2024. 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 famously scored the winning goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final, ending a 114‑year drought for Hibs and cementing his status as a club legend.
His first full season at the helm began positively, with Hibernian finishing third in the 2024/25 campaign, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the previous year. However, the recent dip in results – the team now sits just two points above the bottom of the table – prompted the board to act. The club’s hierarchy has now looked for a sixth permanent manager in less than 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. Gray’s exit adds to this revolving‑door pattern.
Assistant coach John Potter will step in as caretaker for the upcoming match against Aberdeen on Saturday. In a formal statement, Hibernian confirmed that a new permanent head coach will be appointed "in due course". Executive Chairman Ian Gordon issued a heartfelt tribute to Gray: "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 Kilmarnock loss. 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 pressure that Scottish clubs face to deliver results quickly, especially when European ambitions are at stake.
Hibernian will now focus on stabilising their league position while scouting for a manager capable of restoring confidence among the fans and delivering consistent performances at home. The interim period under Potter offers a brief window for the squad to regroup before a new permanent appointment aims to steer the club back toward the upper echelons of the Premiership.