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Joe Newell praises David Gray's legacy after leaving

Joe Newell praises sacked coach David Gray for his legacy at Hibernian and expresses confidence in the team's ability to turn things around.

20 September 2026
Joe Newell praises David Gray's legacy after leaving

Joe Newell praises David Gray's legacy after leaving

According to Bbc.

Context

Joe Newell, who joined Hibernian in 2019 and was promoted to captain under Gray's leadership, expressed his confidence in the team's ability to overcome current challenges. His experience and leadership will be key as Hibernian look to improve their Scottish Premiership position after a difficult start to the season.

Why this matters

David Gray's departure marks a significant moment in the history of Hibernian, one of the most iconic clubs in the Scottish Premiership. The legacy Gray leaves behind, which includes a Scottish Cup victory, is testament to the impact he had on the team and community. The way Joe Newell praises Gray underlines the importance of leadership and continuity at a club looking to regain its league form.

Main conclusions

  • Joe Newell praises David Gray's legacy after leaving.
  • Joe Newell praises sacked coach David Gray for his legacy at Hibernian and expresses confidence in the team's ability to turn things around.
  • Hibs: 'Living legend' Gray can be proud of record, says Newell - BBC Sport.

Hibernian captain Joe Newell called for the legacy left by sacked coach David Gray to be valued, ensuring that the former coach can feel proud of his work at the club. Gray, who was in charge of the team for 12 years, saw his stay come to an end on Wednesday after a run of three successive defeats in the Scottish Premiership, leaving the team in ninth place after six games.

"It's been a difficult week for all of us," said Newell, a 33-year-old midfielder who has been Gray's teammate since his arrival at Hibernian in 2019 and who became captain when Gray took over. "There's a part of the blame that falls on all of us. He always took responsibility and protected his players, which I think is noble and sums up his personality. Football moves quickly, but it's important that everyone at the club remembers him for what he did - and I'm sure they will. He's not just a living legend; he will go down in history."

Image

David Gray was the captain who led Hibernian to the Scottish Cup in 2016, scoring a decisive goal in stoppage time in the final against Rangers at Hampden Park. As a debutant coach, he led the team to third and fifth place finishes in the league. Newell said: "His time at the helm of the club has been a great success. The longer it goes, the more people will appreciate it. From where we were to where we've come with Dave, it's something he should be proud of. We've had some incredible memories over the last few years and a number of great achievements."

The team faces Aberdeen next Saturday, looking to avoid a record seven consecutive home defeats in the league. Newell stressed the importance of a good reaction: "The main thing is the reaction, trying to win again and have a performance that the fans can support."

Furthermore, Hibernian will face city rivals Heart of Midlothian in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals on November 1, and Newell believes there can still be promise in this campaign. "All we can do as players is support whoever is in charge. There is no crisis in terms of saving the season; it is still very early days. We are in a position where we can quickly turn things around. I have said many times that this squad, especially in the last 12 months, is the best I have been involved in, so I am immensely confident that we can still achieve what we set out to do."

What happens next

With Gray's departure, Hibernian must look for a new coach who can revitalize the team and guide them out of the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table. Joe Newell, as captain, will play a crucial role in keeping team morale high and ensuring the players focus on the next phase of the season. The new coach's ability to implement effective changes will be vital to the club's success in the coming weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What happened to David Gray at Hibernian?

David Gray was sacked as Hibernian manager after a run of three successive defeats in the Scottish Premiership.

Who confirmed David Gray's departure?

Joe Newell, the Hibernian captain, praised David Gray's legacy after his departure.

Why has David Gray said goodbye now?

The farewell came after Hibernian finished in ninth place after six games, with a series of three consecutive defeats.

What changes occurred at Hibernian after Gray's departure?

The departure of David Gray as coach could lead to a reassessment of the team, as it seeks to avoid a record of seven consecutive defeats.

What is the legacy left by David Gray at Hibernian?

David Gray is remembered for leading Hibernian to the Scottish Cup in 2016 and for achieving good league results during his time as manager.

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Perguntas frequentes

O que aconteceu com David Gray no Hibernian?

David Gray foi despedido como treinador do Hibernian após uma série de três derrotas consecutivas na Premiership escocesa.

Quem confirmou a saída de David Gray?

Joe Newell, o capitão do Hibernian, elogiou o legado de David Gray após a sua saída.

Por que agora foi feita a despedida de David Gray?

A despedida ocorreu após o Hibernian ter terminado na nona posição após seis jogos, com uma série de três derrotas consecutivas.

Que mudanças ocorreram no Hibernian após a saída de Gray?

A saída de David Gray como treinador pode levar a uma reavaliação da equipa, que procura evitar um recorde de sete derrotas consecutivas.

Qual é o legado deixado por David Gray no Hibernian?

David Gray é lembrado por ter levado o Hibernian à conquista da Scottish Cup em 2016 e por ter alcançado bons resultados na liga durante o seu tempo como treinador.

What happened in this story?

Joe Newell elogia legado de David Gray após saída do summarizes the main development covered in this report.

Who confirmed this news?

See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.