David Gray offered Hibernian manager’s job after interim spell in charge

David Gray has been offered the Hibernian head coach job and is set to be the new permanent boss at Easter Road.

Gray took interim charge for the final two games of the season, earning a 3-0 win over Motherwell and a 1-1 draw with Livingston following Montgomery’s sacking.

He’s now come out on top after an interview process led by new sporting director Malky Mackay. While a deal has yet to be signed, he has been told the job is his.

Gray is now set to be the club’s fifth head coach in less than three years.

During his interim spell in charge, the 36-year-old was asked if he had ambitions to take on the top job on a permanent basis, and said that he believed he had shown he could do the job and that he wouldn’t distance himself for the role.

“I’m not shying away from it,” Gray said last month.

“I believe I can do it. I’ve demonstrated I can.

“Ultimately it’s what the club want to do moving forward. If they feel I’m ready to do it and they want me to do it that’s a decision they can make.”

Gray made over 170 appearances for the Easter Road club in a seven-year spell after moving from Burton Albion in 2014.

A fan favourite, he wrote his name in the club’s history books with the stoppage-time winning goal in the 2016 Scottish Cup final against Rangers, ending the Leith side’s 114-year wait to lift the trophy.

After retiring from playing, he joined the coaching staff at the club and his spell as interim manager following Montgomery’s sacking was the fourth time he had stepped up to take over the first team, having done the same after the departures of Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson.

If the former defender accepts the role, he’ll be tasked with delivering a huge improvement on last season, when Hibs failed to reach the top six.

With Bournemouth owner Bill Foley investment group Black Knight Football Club having put £6m into the club, and an extensive review of the football department having taken place, expectations are high at Easter Road.