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 Scottish League Cup, their European ambitions were halted earlier in the campaign when they fell to Belgian side Gent in the UEFA Conference League play‑off round.
The defeat added to a growing sense of disappointment among supporters and the board. The Easter Road side have now endured six straight league defeats at home, a run that matches a club record set back in 1920. The poor home form has been a particular cause for concern, as the team has struggled to convert familiar surroundings into a fortress. Gray, who was given a permanent three‑year contract in June 2024 after serving as interim manager on three separate occasions, became the club’s permanent boss at the age of 38.
He retired from playing five years earlier to devote himself fully to coaching. As a player, Gray is remembered fondly for scoring the decisive goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final, a strike that ended a 114‑year wait for the trophy. His managerial debut was promising: Hibs finished third in the 2024/25 season under his guidance, improving on a fifth‑place finish the year before. However, the recent slide down the table – now only two points clear of the relegation zone – prompted the club’s hierarchy to act.
The sacking marks the sixth permanent appointment in less than five years. Previous head coaches have included Jack Ross (who left in December 2021), Shaun Maloney (departed five months later), Lee Johnson (who exited the following year), and Nick Montgomery (who was dismissed in May 2024).
The turnover highlights a period of instability at the club’s helm. In the immediate aftermath, first‑team coach John Potter will assume interim charge for the upcoming match against Aberdeen. The club issued a statement confirming that a new permanent manager will be named "in due course." Executive Chairman Ian Gordon released 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 Kilmarnock defeat. 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 underscores the pressure on Hibernian to reverse a worrying trend of poor results, particularly on home turf, and to restore confidence among a fan base that has endured a series of setbacks. The club now faces the challenge of finding a manager capable of stabilising performances, reigniting the attacking flair that once made Easter Road a difficult venue for opponents, and ultimately steering the team away from the relegation battle. The upcoming match against Aberdeen will be the first test for caretaker John Potter, while the search for a long‑term solution continues behind the scenes.