David Gray’s dismissal as Hibernian manager has come as little surprise to former player and pundit Tam McManus, who believes others at Easter Road must also answer serious questions.
McManus, who has close knowledge of the club, made clear that the decision to remove Gray from his position was entirely predictable given the circumstances surrounding the team’s recent struggles.
The former Hibs man did not hold back in his assessment, suggesting that the problems at Easter Road run far deeper than the performance of the manager alone.
Gray had taken charge of Hibernian in May 2024, stepping into the role during a turbulent period for the Edinburgh club as they sought greater stability on and off the pitch.
His tenure was always going to be closely scrutinised given the high expectations that supporters at Easter Road place on anyone who leads the club in a competitive Scottish football landscape.
McManus pointed the finger beyond the dugout, making clear that figures within the broader structure of the club carry a significant share of the responsibility for how things have unfolded.
Questions around recruitment, player development, and the overall direction of the club have long been simmering among the Hibs support, and Gray’s departure has brought those issues sharply into focus.
The sacking of a manager rarely occurs in isolation, and McManus appears firm in his belief that the decision reflects wider failings that the hierarchy at Easter Road must now confront honestly and openly.
Scottish football has seen numerous managerial casualties in recent seasons, with clubs often quick to change the head coach while leaving the underlying structural problems completely unaddressed.
For Hibernian, the challenge now is to identify the right candidate to take the club forward while also ensuring that those in positions of power above the dugout are held to the same standard of accountability they demand from their managers.
McManus has consistently used his platform as a pundit to speak frankly about Hibs, and his latest intervention suggests he remains deeply invested in seeing the club reach its potential in Scottish football.
The coming weeks will be critical for Hibernian as they navigate a managerial search while trying to maintain results and reassure a fanbase that has grown increasingly frustrated with the direction of the club.
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