Why David Gray is the right man for Hibs despite ominous Franck Sauzee omen

The 36-year-old becomes the club's fifth manager in less than three years since the sacking of Jack Ross. The tenures of Shaun Maloney, Lee Johnson and Nick Montgomery have all been short-lived and ill-fated and their failures do not reflect well on the Hibs hierarchy who employed them.

With no firm stand-out candidate this time around – Derek McInnes signed a new deal with Kilmarnock to effectively rule himself out of the running – it made perfect sense for Hibs to change tack and turn to a man right under their noses who enjoys legendary status among the fanbase and who has galvanised the club on the four separate occasions he has been placed in temporary charge.

It is the first internal promotion into the Hibs hot seat since Franck Sauzee in 2001, whose tenure lasted just two months after winning just one of his 15 games in charge. That is perhaps a bad omen – Sauzee also enjoyed cult status among the fans – but there is enough evidence to suggest that Gray is the right man at the right time for Hibs. He ticks plenty boxes in terms of the type of character required and as he said himself in the press release confirming his appointment – "I know what a successful Hibs team looks like".

But there is one glaring omission from his CV in that he lacks managerial experience. While 12 matches in caretaker charge is not an insignificant sample size, taking your first steps as a boss in your own right is a completely different proposition. The demands will be much higher and much will depend on his tactical approach and his ability to make decisions which influence the outcome of matches. But Gray has shown throughout his career that he is made for the dugout. A fierce competitor on the pitch, a winner, a captain, a leader – someone who could be relied upon to lead by example.

His contribution to Hibs over a decade of service ensures he will have the fans onside from day one. It will not all be plain sailing as Gray finds his feet in the role but while the atmosphere at Easter Road could become toxic rather quickly under Maloney, Johnson and Montgomery, there will likely be more time and understanding afforded to Gray. It will take a lot for the fans to turn on the man who gave them one of their greatest ever days, leading them to Scottish Cup glory in 2016 with a stoppage time winner against Rangers at Hampden to end a 114-year wait for the trophy.

The former right-back gathered plenty experience during his playing career including a four-year stint at Manchester United after Alex Ferguson signed him as a 16-year-old from Hearts for £50,000 in 2006. There were also spells as Royal Antwerp, Crewe Alexandra, Plymouth Argyle, Preston North End, Stevenage and Burton Albion before joining Hibs in 2014, playing under Alan Stubbs, Neil Lennon, Paul Heckingbottom and Jack Ross before retiring in 2021 to take up a first-team coaching position.

As a coach he has now worked under four different Hibs managers. He will have observed everything that has gone on behind the scenes and knows the current crop of players inside-out. He will know where the squad’s weaknesses are, where strengthening is required. He will have seen what has worked, and what has not worked on the training pitch and in matches.

Working under the wing of an experienced sporting director in Mackay will also take some weight off his shoulders and provide a valuable sounding board in times of need. Mackay is in no doubt that Hibs have made the right move.

“Following a robust recruitment process, David emerged as our preferred candidate and we are delighted to have him on board," he said. "Having watched his progression closely over a number of years, David’s ready to step up and become Hibernian FC’s Head Coach. David understands the pressures and demands that comes with a club like Hibs, knows Scottish football inside out, is an excellent coach and a strong man manager.

“He already has good relationships with the current playing squad and members of staff both at HTC and Easter Road, which provides an element of stability, and we know he’s the right man for the job. Everyone is looking forward to continuing to work closely with David for the upcoming season and beyond.”

Gray's interim record makes for decent reading. Five wins, three draws and four defeats is a mixed record, but consider that each spell has come amid difficult circumstances, then he has fared particularly well. Consider also that two of his defeats were to Celtic in a League Cup final and away to Aston Villa in Europe and his record looks even better. It feels like the right time for Hibs to take a chance on an up and coming young manager.

Gray becomes the 14th person to both play for and permanently manage the club. He has been appointed on a three-year deal and will now finalise his backroom team before leading the club into the 2024-25 campaign, which will start with a Premier Sports Cup trip to Elgin City on July 13.

“It is a real privilege for me to become the Head Coach of this great football club," Gray said. “Everyone knows how much Hibs means to me. It is a massive club with a phenomenal fanbase, that I know very well – so to be given this opportunity is a true honour. From being here as a player and a coach for over 10 years, I know what a successful Hibs team looks like and I am determined to succeed and take our club forward.”