Hibernian sack David Gray after disappointing start to the season

Hibernian have sacked head coach David Gray following a difficult start to their league campaign, with the club sitting ninth in the Scottish Premiership. Gray’s departure comes after Hibernian’s 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Easter Road on Tuesday night. George Stanger’s first-half goal meant Hibs fell to a sixth consecutive defeat at home for the first time since 1920. David Gray joined Hibs as a player in 2014 after the club’s relegation to the Scottish Championship, before going on to make 177 appearances for the Edinburgh club. Gray cemented himself as a club legend in 2016, heading home the winner in second-half stoppage time in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers, which brought an end to a 114-year wait for Scottish Cup silverware success. After a successful playing career, Gray retired at the age of 33. He would then spend three years as a first-team coach before he was appointed men’s head coach in the summer of 2024. Throughout his two-year spell as head coach, Gray managed 107 games, winning 43, losing 35 and drawing 29. In his first season in charge, he guided the club to a third-placed finish and oversaw a historic 17-game unbeaten run, which included wins over Celtic and Rangers and back-to-back Edinburgh derby victories against Hearts. A memorable season in 2024 was followed up with a fifth-place finish last season, securing European football for the second consecutive season. Hibernian Chief Executive Ian Gordon admitted that it wasn’t an easy decision for the club, but one he felt they needed to make. “Firstly, I would like to thank Dave for everything he has done for the Football Club, as a player, coach and, most recently, Head Coach. “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 at the Football Club. “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.” Hibernian face Aberdeen on Saturday before the first international break of the season, with John Potter taking charge on an interim basis.