Hibernian part ways with manager David Gray after run of poor results
Scottish club Hibernian have sacked manager David Gray following a disappointing start to the season, with the team suffering a record run of home defeats. Gray, a former player and club icon, leaves after more than two years in charge.
Hibernian manager David Gray left the club on Wednesday evening after more than two seasons in the top job and twelve years overall associated with the club as a player, coach and interim manager. Gray is regarded as a club legend, having scored the winning goal in Hibernian's 2016 Scottish Cup triumph, earning him the nickname 'Sir David Gray' among supporters.
Despite his status, his departure was met with relief rather than celebration from fans, reflecting the team's recent struggles. Hibernian have lost their last six home league matches, matching the club's worst such run since 1920. This season the team has taken just six points from six games, sitting ninth in the table, and suffered a heavy defeat to lower-ranked Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
Highs and lows
Under Gray, Hibernian qualified for European football in consecutive seasons for the first time since the early 1970s. He was also the only Hibernian manager to win at Rangers' home ground in three consecutive seasons, and the team also won away at Celtic last season. However, the club failed on two separate occasions to progress through Europa Conference League play-off qualification, missing out on the associated financial benefits.
A recurring issue was the team's tendency to concede goals late in matches, a pattern that repeated across recent seasons, including in the loss that eliminated them from the Conference League against Gent. Although Gray guided the team to the League Cup semi-final against Hearts, this was not enough to save his position.
Club officials, including sporting director Malky Mackay, chairman Ian Gordon and chief executive Dan Barnett, will now lead the search for a new manager. Gray led Hibernian to third place in the league in his first season in charge and fifth place last season.
