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 that has seen the club suffer its fourth league defeat in just six matches this season, most recently succumbing to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. While the side has managed to reach the semi‑final stage of the Scottish League Cup, their European ambitions were halted earlier this year when they were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League after a play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent. This combination of domestic and continental setbacks has intensified the pressure on the coaching staff.
The recent form has also highlighted a worrying historical trend. Since the start of last season, Hibs have now been beaten in six consecutive league fixtures on their home ground at Easter Road, a sequence that matches a club record that dates back to 1920.
The magnitude of this slump has prompted the board to act decisively. Gray’s appointment was originally intended to be a long‑term solution. In June 2024 he was given a three‑year contract, cementing his status after serving as interim manager on three separate occasions.
The 38‑year‑old former player had retired from the pitch five years earlier to focus on a coaching career, and he is remembered fondly by supporters for his dramatic 2016 Scottish Cup winner’s goal against Rangers – a strike that ended a 114‑year wait for the club to lift the trophy. His early tenure appeared promising. In the 2024/25 season, Hibernian finished third under his guidance, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish recorded the previous campaign.
Nevertheless, the recent slide to within two points of the league’s bottom‑most team left the club’s hierarchy convinced that another change was necessary. The dismissal marks the sixth permanent managerial change at Easter Road in less than five years.
The previous appointments – Jack Ross (departed December 2021), Shaun Maloney (five months later), Lee Johnson (the following year), Nick Montgomery (summer 2024) and now Gray – illustrate a pattern of instability that the board hopes to finally break. Assistant coach John Potter has been named interim manager for the upcoming clash with Aberdeen on Saturday, and the club has issued a statement indicating that a new permanent head coach will be announced "in due course".
Club executive chairman Ian Gordon released a heartfelt tribute to Gray, stating: "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 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 termination of Gray’s contract underscores the precarious nature of football management, particularly at clubs where expectations from supporters and owners are high. Hibernian now faces the dual challenge of stabilising their league position while also navigating the upcoming cup fixtures. The appointment of a new permanent manager will be crucial not only for tactical adjustments but also for restoring confidence among the squad and the fanbase. Beyond the immediate managerial shuffle, the club must address deeper structural issues that have contributed to the recent decline.
Squad depth, injury management, and the integration of younger academy players are all areas that require strategic planning. Moreover, the financial implications of missing out on further European competition add another layer of urgency to the board’s decision‑making process. Supporters, who have endured a series of disappointing results, will be looking for clear communication from the club regarding the future direction.
Transparency about recruitment policies, playing style, and long‑term objectives could help rebuild trust and re‑energise the fan community. In summary, Hibernian’s decision to part ways with David Gray reflects a broader desire to halt a worrying slide and to re‑establish a competitive footing in the Scottish Premiership.
The coming weeks will be pivotal as the club appoints a new leader, seeks to arrest the losing streak, and aims to restore the optimism that once defined Easter Road’s recent seasons.