Hibernian Football Club have officially terminated the contract of head coach David Gray as the team finds itself languishing in ninth place in the Scottish Premiership. The decision comes on the back of a dismal run of form, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in just six matches this season when the side were beaten by bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
While the club did manage to reach the semi‑final stage of the Scottish League Cup, their European aspirations were crushed when they fell to Belgian side Gent in the play‑off round of the UEFA Conference League. That loss, combined with a worrying domestic record, has intensified the pressure on the coaching staff. The Easter Road outfit have now endured six straight league defeats on their home turf – a run that matches a club record that dates back to 1920.
The streak has underscored the severity of the situation and left the board with little choice but to act. Gray, who was given a permanent three‑year contract in June 2024 after a series of interim appointments, was only 38 when he took the reins. He had retired from playing five years earlier to focus on a coaching career, and he is remembered fondly by supporters for his dramatic winner against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a goal that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy. His early tenure looked promising.
In his first full season, Hibs secured a third‑place finish in the 2024/25 campaign, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the previous year. However, the recent dip in form has seen the team sit just two points above the relegation zone, prompting the club’s hierarchy to conclude that a fresh direction is required.
This marks the sixth permanent manager to leave Hibernian in less than five years. The club has cycled through Jack Ross (departed December 2021), Shaun Maloney (five months later), Lee Johnson (the following year), Nick Montgomery (summer 2024) and now David Gray. The turnover highlights a period of instability that the board hopes to end with a new appointment.
In the immediate term, first‑team coach John Potter will step in as caretaker for the upcoming Saturday fixture against Aberdeen. The club has issued a statement indicating that a permanent successor will be announced "in due course". Executive chairman Ian Gordon issued a heartfelt statement about Gray's departure: "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.
In an 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 dismissal underscores the precarious position Hibernian now occupy in the league. With only a handful of games remaining in the season, the club must quickly stabilise its performances to avoid a relegation battle.
The search for a new permanent manager will likely focus on candidates who can inject fresh ideas, improve defensive solidity, and restore confidence among both the squad and the passionate fan base. Beyond the immediate managerial shuffle, Hibernian will need to address deeper issues that have contributed to the slump: inconsistent goal‑scoring, defensive lapses at home, and a lack of mental resilience in tight matches.
Strengthening the squad during the upcoming transfer window, possibly by bringing in experienced Premiership players or promising young talent, could be crucial. Supporters, who have endured a roller‑coaster of emotions over the past few seasons, will be looking for reassurance that the club has a clear plan to return to the upper echelons of Scottish football.
The next few weeks will be decisive not only for the club's on‑field fortunes but also for its long‑term stability and identity. In summary, David Gray's tenure at Hibernian, once highlighted by iconic moments and early promise, has come to an abrupt end amid a severe run of poor results.
The club now faces the dual challenge of appointing a new head coach and halting a worrying decline that threatens its Premiership status. The upcoming caretaker spell under John Potter offers a brief interlude, but the real test will be the appointment of a permanent manager capable of steering Hibs back to competitive relevance.