What's happened
Hibernian FC have dismissed Dave Gray as head coach after six Premiership fixtures. John Potter takes interim charge for Saturday’s game against Aberdeen as the club undergoes an international break and seeks a fresh start.
What's behind the headline?
Key angles
- Dave Gray has been removed after a difficult start to the season, with the board citing downturns in results and performances.
- Interim John Potter will preside over the Aberdeen match as the club plans a longer-term appointment after the international window.
- Players and staff are adapting to leadership change while stressing urgency to arrest the slide.
Questions to consider
- What does the change mean for Hibs’ tactical direction this season?
- Who will emerge as the new head coach and what criteria will guide the appointment?
- How quickly can the squad return to form and European contention?
How we got here
Gray’s exit ends a 12-year association with Hibs, including a Scottish Cup win as a player and a tenure as head coach that yielded a third-place finish and Conference League play-offs. The decision follows a run of six straight league defeats and a concerning start to the 2026-27 season.
Our analysis
The Scotsman: reports on Gray’s dismissal and interim appointment; BBC Sport coverage noting the six-match losing run and quote from Newell. The Scottish press highlights the club’s history with Gray and the challenge of a long pause before a new appointment.
Go deeper
- Who will become Hibs’ next head coach?
- Can the squad rebound after the international break?
- What immediate alternatives are being considered for the role?
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Hibernian F.C. - Association football club in Edinburgh, Scotland
Hibernian Football Club (), commonly known as Hibs, is a professional football club in Edinburgh, Scotland. The team competes in the Scottish Premiership, the top division of Scottish football. The club was founded in 1875 by members of Edinburgh's Irish community, and the name is derived from the Latin for Ireland. The Irish heritage of Hibernian is reflected in the name, colours and badge of the club. The green main shirt colour is usually accompanied by white sleeves and shorts. Their local rivals are Heart of Midlothian, with whom they contest the Edinburgh derby. Home matches are played at Easter Road, which has been in use since 1893, when the club joined the Scottish Football League. The name of the club is regularly shortened to Hibs, with the team also known as the Hibees (pronounced ) and supporters known as "Hibbies". Another nickname is "the Cabbage", derived from the shortened rhyming slang for Hibs ("Cabbage and ribs"). Hibernian have won the Scottish league championship four times, most recently in 1952. Three of those four championships were won between 1948 and 1952, when the club had the services of The Famous Five forward line. The club have won the Scottish Cup three...
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