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 back of a dismal run of form, highlighted by a fourth league defeat in six matches this season when the Edinburgh side were beaten by bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday. Although the club managed to reach the semi‑finals of the domestic League Cup, their European campaign was cut short after a Conference League play‑off loss to Belgian side Gent. The disappointment on the continental stage added to the growing sense of crisis at Easter Road.
The latest defeat extends a worrying trend that stretches back to the previous campaign: Hibs have now suffered six consecutive league losses on their home turf, a streak that matches a club record set almost a century ago in 1920. The magnitude of the home‑ground slump has intensified pressure on the managerial bench. Gray’s tenure began in June 2024 when he was handed a three‑year contract, cementing his position after serving as interim manager on four separate occasions.
The 38‑year‑old former player, who hung up his boots five years ago to pursue a career in coaching, is a beloved figure in the Hibernian community. He will always be remembered for the dramatic winner he netted against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final, a goal that ended a 114‑year drought for the club.
His initial impact as a permanent manager was promising. In the 2024/25 season, Hibs finished third, an improvement on the fifth‑place finish the year before. However, the recent slide down the table – now just two points above the relegation zone – prompted the club’s hierarchy to act, concluding that a change in leadership was necessary. The sacking marks the sixth permanent managerial change at Hibernian in less than five years.
The 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 turnover highlights a period of instability that the club hopes to end with a fresh appointment. Assistant coach John Potter has been named interim manager for the upcoming fixture against Aberdeen on Saturday. The club issued a statement indicating that a new permanent head coach will be announced "in due course," signalling that the search for a long‑term solution is already underway.
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 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 of Gray underscores the broader challenges facing Hibernian. The club must now rebuild confidence among a fan base that has grown increasingly restless after a series of disappointing results. Finding a manager who can restore stability, reinvigorate the squad, and deliver consistent performances—especially at Easter Road—will be paramount. The upcoming interim match against Aberdeen will offer a glimpse of how the team copes in the immediate aftermath, while the board works behind the scenes to identify a candidate capable of steering Hibs back to the upper echelons of Scottish football.