Hibernian Sacks David Gray After Poor Run in Premiership

Hibernian have sacked head coach David Gray with the club languishing ninth in the Scottish Premiership, ending the reign of a modern Easter Road icon after a grim run of form.

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 growing crisis on their own pitch.

Club legend cut loose

Gray, 38, was only appointed permanently in June 2024 on a three-year deal after four separate spells as interim boss. His move into the hot seat felt like a natural progression for a man who had retired from playing five years earlier to focus on coaching, and whose name is stitched into the club’s history.

He is, and will remain, the captain who rose highest at Hampden in 2016, thundering in the winner against Rangers to end Hibs’ 114-year wait for the Scottish Cup. That moment made him a legend. It has not protected him from the reality of the modern game.

The early signs in the dugout were encouraging. Gray guided Hibs to third place in the 2024/25 campaign, then followed that with a fifth-place finish last season, restoring a measure of respectability to a club that has lurched from one reset to the next.

This season has ripped that optimism apart. Hibs crashed out of Europe after a Conference League play-off defeat to Gent, their continental adventure over before it really began. The League Cup has provided some respite, with progress to the semi-finals, but the league form has steadily dragged them into trouble.

Home form hits a historic low

The numbers at Easter Road are damning. Stretching back to last season, Hibs have now lost six consecutive home league matches, equalling a club record last set in 1920. The ground that once roared Gray’s name has become a place of tension and groans, the stands watching another lead slip or another chance go begging.

Tuesday’s defeat to Kilmarnock, against the team propping up the table, felt like a tipping point. Hibs now sit just two points off the bottom, the safety net thinning by the week. For the hierarchy, it was enough.

They have turned again to the reset button.

Sixth permanent boss in under five years

Gray’s dismissal means Hibs are now searching for a sixth permanent manager in less than five years. Since December 2021, Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney, Lee Johnson, Nick Montgomery and now Gray have all come and gone.

Executive chairman Ian Gordon acknowledged the emotional weight of this particular 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,” he 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 board’s verdict was clear: sentiment could not outweigh the slide.

Gray’s final defiance

Gray’s last appearance as Hibs boss came in front of the cameras on Tuesday night, still fighting, still insisting he could turn it around.

“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.

“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,” he said. The call came quickly.

Another reset, another audition

Coach John Potter now steps into interim charge for Saturday’s match against Aberdeen, tasked with steadying a side short on confidence and running out of excuses. Hibs have confirmed they “will announce a new permanent head coach in due course,” yet again inviting a fresh face into a dugout that has become a revolving door.

The question now is not just who comes next, but how long the next man gets before Easter Road demands change all over again.