Hibernian Sack Head Coach David Gray After Disappointing Start
Hibernian have sacked head coach David Gray with the club sitting ninth in the Scottish Premiership, the end of a reign that began in hope and has unravelled at alarming speed.
The decision came in the wake of Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at home to bottom side Kilmarnock, Hibs’ fourth league loss in six games this season. The atmosphere at Easter Road has been souring for weeks; that result broke it.
Cup progress has not been enough to save him. Hibs are in the League Cup semi-finals, but their European campaign ended early with a Conference League play-off defeat to Gent, a setback that stripped away some of the early-season optimism.
The numbers at Easter Road are brutal. Stretching back to last season, Hibs have now lost six consecutive league games at home, equalling a club record that had stood untouched since 1920. For a club that sells itself on emotion and home backing, that statistic bites hardest.
From cup hero to the exit door
Gray’s dismissal closes a chapter that began with romance. Appointed permanently in June 2024 on a three-year deal after four separate spells as interim boss, the 38-year-old stepped into the job as a modern club icon.
He retired as a player five years ago to focus on coaching, but his place in Hibs history was already secure. His towering header against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final ended a 114-year wait for the trophy and etched his name into club folklore.
His early work in the dugout seemed to hint at a smooth transition. Hibs finished third in the 2024/25 campaign and then fifth last season, restoring a measure of stability after years of churn. It looked like the club had finally found a long-term leader.
This season has ripped that notion apart. With Hibs now just two points off the bottom of the Premiership, the board has moved again.
The club are searching for a sixth permanent manager in less than five years. Jack Ross left in December 2021, Shaun Maloney followed five months later, Lee Johnson departed the following year, Nick Montgomery exited in May 2024, and now Gray joins the list. For all the talk of stability, the dugout door has barely stopped swinging.
Coach John Potter will take interim charge for Saturday’s match against Aberdeen. Hibs said in a statement they “will announce a new permanent head coach in due course,” another promise in a cycle supporters know all too well.
Board pays tribute but points to slump
Executive chairman Ian Gordon underlined the respect Gray still commands inside the club, even as he confirmed the end.
“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,” Gordon said.
“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.”
The words were warm. The verdict was cold. Results had left the board with nowhere to hide.
Gray’s final defiant stance
Gray faced the cameras on Tuesday night still fighting, unaware it would be his last appearance as Hibs manager.
“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,” he told Sky Sports after the Kilmarnock defeat.
“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.”
“Until someone tells me otherwise.” The answer came swiftly.
Now Hibs must find yet another new voice, with the team drifting towards the wrong end of the table and a restless support watching a club legend leave by the side door.
