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 fourth league defeat in six matches this season, the most recent loss coming at the hands of bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. Although the club managed to reach the semi‑final stage of the League Cup, their European campaign ended abruptly after a Conference League play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent.
The poor run of form is part of a longer pattern that stretches back to last season. The Easter Road side have now endured six straight league defeats at home, a sequence that matches a club record that was last set in 1920. Gray, who was given a permanent three‑year contract in June 2024 after serving four separate spells as interim manager, was unable to reverse the slide. The 38‑year‑old Gray retired from playing five years ago to concentrate on coaching, and he is remembered fondly by supporters for scoring the decisive goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a moment that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy.
His early tenure as manager looked promising; Hibs finished third in the 2024/25 season, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the previous year. However, the recent downturn, which has left the team just two points above the relegation zone, prompted the board to act. Hibernian are now in search of a sixth permanent manager in less than five years. Former bosses Jack Ross departed in December 2021, Shaun Maloney left five months later, Lee Johnson exited the following year, and Nick Montgomery was dismissed in the summer of May 2024.
Gray’s departure adds another chapter to a period of considerable turnover at the helm. Assistant coach John Potter will assume interim charge for the upcoming Saturday fixture against Aberdeen, while the club issued a statement promising that a new permanent head coach will be announced in due course. Executive chairman Ian Gordon issued a heartfelt statement about Gray’s exit: "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 himself remained defiant after the 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 sacking underscores the pressure that Scottish clubs face to deliver immediate results, especially when European ambitions are at stake. Hibs' early exit from the Conference League, combined with a string of poor domestic performances, has left the board with little patience for a prolonged rebuilding phase. The club now faces the dual challenge of stabilising its league position while finding a manager capable of restoring confidence among supporters and players alike. Looking ahead, the interim appointment of John Potter offers a short‑term solution, but the long‑term plan will hinge on securing a manager who can blend tactical acumen with the ability to nurture the club's young talent.
Hibernian have a proud history and a passionate fan base; restoring that sense of optimism will require more than a change of personnel – it will demand a clear footballing philosophy, strategic recruitment, and a renewed focus on consistency, particularly at Easter Road where the recent home losing streak has been especially damaging. As the club prepares for the upcoming match against Aberdeen, all eyes will be on how the interim team performs and whether the board's next permanent appointment can break the cycle of instability that has plagued Hibernian in recent years.