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 that has seen the club suffer its fourth league defeat in just six matches this season, most recently a loss to bottom‑placed Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
While the side managed to reach the semi‑final stage of the domestic League Cup, their European campaign was cut short after a Conference League play‑off defeat to Belgian side Gent. The disappointment on the continental front adds to a growing list of setbacks that have plagued Easter Road in recent weeks. Historically, the club’s recent home form is particularly worrying.
Since the start of last season, Hibs have been unable to secure a league victory at Easter Road for six straight games, a run that now matches a club record that dates back to 1920. Such a prolonged period without a home win has intensified the pressure on the managerial staff and the board alike. David Gray’s tenure at the helm was formalised in June 2024 when he signed a three‑year contract, moving from a series of interim appointments to a permanent role. The 38‑year‑old former player, who hung up his boots five years ago to concentrate on coaching, is a celebrated figure in Hibernian folklore.
He will forever be remembered for netting the decisive goal against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final, a strike that ended a 114‑year drought for the club. Gray’s early days as head coach appeared promising.
In his first full season, Hibernian finished third in the 2024/25 league campaign, improving on a fifth‑place finish the previous year. However, the recent slide down the table – now only two points clear of the relegation zone – prompted the club’s hierarchy to act, concluding that a change was necessary to halt the decline. The sacking marks the sixth permanent managerial change at Hibernian in under five years. The club has cycled through Jack Ross (who left in December 2021), Shaun Maloney (departed five months later), Lee Johnson (who exited the following year), Nick Montgomery (who left in May 2024), and now David Gray.
Such turnover has raised questions about stability and long‑term planning within the organization. In the immediate aftermath, assistant coach John Potter has been appointed as caretaker manager for the upcoming match against Aberdeen. 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.
Hibernian’s executive chairman, Ian Gordon, paid tribute to Gray’s contributions, 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 defeat 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 nature of football management, where short‑term results often outweigh past achievements. For Hibernian, the challenge now lies in stabilising their league position, restoring confidence among the supporters, and finding a manager capable of delivering consistent performances both at home and away. The upcoming fixture against Aberdeen will serve as an early test for caretaker John Potter, while the club’s board works behind the scenes to secure a long‑term appointment that can guide the team out of the relegation battle and back towards the ambitions that have defined Hibernian’s recent history.