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 heels of a dismal run of form, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in just 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 list of setbacks that have left supporters and the board increasingly uneasy.
The recent slump has also seen Hibs equal a historic low point: six straight league defeats at Easter Road, a record that had not been matched since 1920. The streak underscores the depth of the club's current problems and the urgency felt by senior officials to reverse the trend. David Gray, who was given a permanent contract in June 2024 after serving three separate interim spells, signed a three‑year deal that now appears to be cut short.
The 38‑year‑old former player retired from the game five years ago to concentrate on coaching and quickly became a fan favourite after scoring the decisive goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final – a moment that ended a 114‑year wait for the trophy. Gray's early tenure seemed promising. In his first full season, Hibernian finished third in the 2024/25 campaign, improving on a fifth‑place finish the previous year.
However, the recent decline, with the team now only two points above the relegation zone, prompted the club’s hierarchy to conclude that a change was necessary. The sacking marks the sixth permanent managerial appointment at Easter Road in under 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. The revolving door of head coaches has contributed to a sense of instability that the board hopes to finally resolve.
In the short term, assistant coach John Potter will step in as caretaker for the upcoming match against Aberdeen. The club issued a statement indicating that a new permanent manager will be announced "in due course," signalling that the search for a long‑term solution is already underway. 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 broader challenges facing Hibernian. The club must now rebuild confidence among its supporters, stabilize performances at home, and re‑establish a clear tactical identity. The upcoming caretaker spell under Potter offers a brief window for the squad to regroup, but the longer‑term outlook will hinge on the board's ability to attract a manager capable of delivering sustained success and breaking the cycle of short‑term appointments.
Beyond the immediate footballing concerns, the episode highlights the pressures inherent in modern Scottish football, where financial constraints, fan expectations, and the lure of European competition create a volatile environment for managers. For Hibernian, the next steps will be crucial in determining whether they can climb out of the relegation battle and restore the optimism that once accompanied their cup triumphs and league finishes. As the club prepares for its next fixture, the focus will shift to finding a permanent head coach who can bring both tactical acumen and the ability to foster a resilient squad culture.
The hope among the Easter Road faithful is that this change will mark the beginning of a new, more stable chapter in Hibernian's storied history.