Hibernian Sack Head Coach David Gray Amidst Poor Form

Hibernian have sacked head coach David Gray with the club sitting ninth in the Scottish Premiership, the curtain falling on a modern club icon after a grim run of form at Easter Road.

The decision came in the wake of Tuesday night’s 1-0 home defeat to bottom side Kilmarnock – Hibs’ fourth league loss in six this season and another bruising chapter in a worsening story in Leith.

Club legend cut adrift as home form crumbles

The statistics are stark. 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 support that watched Gray rise to legendary status, seeing him leave under that kind of number will sting.

Gray was only appointed on a permanent basis in June 2024, signing a three-year deal after four separate spells as interim boss. The 38-year-old had hung up his boots five years earlier to focus on coaching, his playing career forever defined by that towering 2016 Scottish Cup final header against Rangers – the goal that ended a 114-year wait and etched his name into Hibs folklore.

His early work in the dugout backed up the emotion. Hibs finished third in the 2024/25 campaign, then followed it with a fifth-place finish last season. The trajectory looked steady, if not spectacular.

This season has ripped that picture up. Despite steering the side into the League Cup semi-finals, Gray oversaw a Conference League play-off exit to Gent and a league slide that now leaves Hibs just two points off the bottom. The board decided the risk was too great.

Sixth manager in five turbulent years

The revolving door at Easter Road spins again. Gray becomes the latest casualty in a chaotic period of managerial churn, with Hibs now searching for a sixth permanent head coach in less than five years.

Jack Ross departed in December 2021. Shaun Maloney lasted barely five months. Lee Johnson followed the next year. Nick Montgomery was gone by May 2024. Now Gray joins the list, another short chapter in a book that never seems to settle.

For now, coach John Potter steps into the breach. He will take interim charge for Saturday’s Premiership match against Aberdeen, while the club say they will confirm a new permanent head coach “in due course.”

Gordon: ‘A decision we have not taken lightly’

Executive chairman Ian Gordon paid a fulsome tribute to Gray as he confirmed the club’s decision.

“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.”

The words underline the tension at the heart of the call: deep respect for the man, but an equally deep fear of where the table is heading.

Gray’s final defiance

Gray’s last public act as Hibs manager came under the floodlights on Tuesday night, just after that damaging defeat to Kilmarnock. He faced the cameras and refused to hide.

“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.

He did not ask for sympathy. He asked for understanding.

“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 quickly.

Now Hibs must find a manager who can stop the slide, repair a broken home record and calm a restless fanbase – all while living in the long shadow of the man who once brought them their greatest modern-day moment.