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 being a 2-0 setback to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. Although the club managed to reach the semi‑final stage of the Scottish League Cup, their European ambitions were halted when they fell to Belgian side Gent in the Conference League play‑off round. The defeat added to a growing sense of disappointment that has been building over the past year.
The Easter Road side have now endured six successive league defeats at home, a run that matches a club record that dates back to 1920. The string of poor results has placed the team just two points above the relegation zone, prompting the board to act decisively. Gray, who was given a permanent three‑year contract in June 2024 after serving four separate spells as interim manager, became a beloved figure at Hibs after scoring the winning goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a moment that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy. The 38‑year‑old former player retired from the game five years ago to focus on coaching and quickly earned a reputation for his passion and work ethic.
His initial tenure as full‑time manager looked promising. In his first season he guided Hibernian to a third‑place finish in the 2024/25 campaign, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the club recorded the previous year. However, the recent slump has erased much of that progress, and the board felt a change was necessary to halt the slide.
Hibernian are now on the hunt for a sixth permanent manager in less than five years. The club has previously seen Jack Ross depart in December 2021, followed by Shaun Maloney five months later, then Lee Johnson the following year, and most recently Nick Montgomery in May 2024. The turnover has left fans yearning for stability and a clear long‑term vision. In the short term, assistant coach John Potter will take charge on an interim basis for the upcoming match against Aberdeen on Saturday.
The club issued a statement confirming that a new permanent head coach will be appointed "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 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 of Gray underscores the volatile nature of football management in the modern era, where short‑term results often outweigh longer‑term planning. Hibernian's supporters will now be watching closely to see which experienced coach can restore confidence, bring tactical cohesion, and guide the team away from the brink of relegation. The club's next steps, including the appointment of a new manager and potential player recruitment, will be crucial in shaping the remainder of the season and restoring the optimism that once surrounded Easter Road.
As the club navigates this transitional period, the focus will be on rebuilding morale, re‑establishing a clear playing philosophy, and delivering the consistency that has been lacking. The upcoming match against Aberdeen will serve as an early test for interim boss John Potter and a barometer for the team's resilience amid the upheaval.