Hibs make David Gray sack decision as Easter Road hierarchy cite 'downturn in results and performances'
Former club captain made European history and broke domestic records - but team caught in death spiral this season
Hibs have cited “a downturn in results and performances” as the reason for sacking David Gray just six games into the Scottish Premiership campaign. The Easter Road board, acting within 24 hours of seeing the team slip to ninth in the table after a brutal home loss to 12-placed Kilmarnock, have just confirmed their decision to part ways with the manager.
In a statement naming John Potter as interim head boss, the club declared: “Following 12 years of service – including over two years as Head Coach – the Club have parted ways with David Gray, alongside Assistant Head Coach Liam Craig and Goalkeeping Coach Craig Samson who have also left the Club.”
Hibs chairman Ian Gordon said: “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. We wish Dave, Liam Craig and Craig Samson all the best for the future and thank them for their commitment and effort during their time with the Club. They will always be welcome back to Easter Road.”
The statement added: “John Potter will take interim charge of the Men’s First Team side for our upcoming William Hill Premiership match with Aberdeen on Saturday 19 September, subsequent to which, the Club will announce a new permanent Head Coach in due course.”
Gray stepped up from the interim role to replace Nick Montgomery on a full-time basis in the summer of 2024. He survived a brutal baptism of fire to life in football management, his team stuck at the bottom of the table as late as December in that first season, before presiding over a remarkable and record-breaking league unbeaten run to secure third place with something to spare.
Hibs slipped to a fifth-place finish last season – but did qualify for European football in consecutive seasons for the first time in half a century, just one of several historic achievements on his watch.
Although they’ve struggled to put together results this season, Hibs did come within six minutes of reaching the UEFA Conference League proper. And, just last month, Gray became the first Hibs manager in history to bag wins over Rangers at Ibrox in three consecutive seasons.
But their run of six consecutive home defeats in the league equals a club record dating back to 1920. And the mood around Easter Road has soured dramatically during that series of games, with a derby loss particularly painful for fans looking ahead to their team facing Hearts in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden on November 1.