Next Hibernian Manager Odds: Damien Duff New Favourite To Replace David Gray

Hibernian manager David Gray is under huge pressure and the best betting sites have opened a market on who might replace him.

Hibs have endured a dismal start to the 2024/25 season. A 2-1 home defeat by St Mirren at the weekend was the latest setback suffered by Gray’s men, who are propping up the Scottish Premiership. 

Hibernian have only won one of their first 12 league games, leaving Gray in a precarious position.

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“I don’t think being worried or scared [of the sack] is the right way to feel,” he said after the defeat by St Mirren. 

“I fully understand the noise, and rightly so based on the situation we’re in. I could come up with 101 excuses, but where we find ourselves isn’t good enough and I know it’s something I’ve said for a number of weeks because of where we are.”

Who will replace Gray if he does soon find himself out of work? Let’s look at the odds provided by betting apps, before we delve a bit deeper into the contenders for the role.

Duff Bound To Leave Ireland At Some Point

Damien Duff has just guided Shelbourne to the League of Ireland title in his first managerial job. 

It was a close-run thing as Shamrock Rovers pushed Duff’s team close, but Shelbourne ultimately finished two points clear to claim the prize for the first time since 2006.

It remains to be seen whether the former Chelsea, Blackburn and Fulham winger will still be in Ireland in 2025. 

Duff is attracting interest from clubs in Scotland and England, with Hibernian said to be keeping a close eye on him. Duff is the 6/4 favourite for the job.

Next Hibernian Manager Odds

Robbie Keane Another Irishman In The Frame

Robbie Keane played alongside Duff for the Republic of Ireland for years, but he could be about to go head-to-head with his former international team-mate for the Hibernian job. 

Football betting sites rate the former striker as the second-favourite for the position at a best price of 7/4.

Keane has some managerial experience. He served as the player-coach of Indian outfit ATK for a brief period in 2018, before winning the Israeli title in his only season at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Keane is no doubt hoping his next opportunity is closer to home.

Robinson Could Be Back At Easter Road Soon

Stephen Robinson was celebrating at Easter Road at the weekend when he guided St Mirren to that 2-1 victory over Hibernian. 

He is not as big a name as some of the others included on this list, but Robinson has the most experience of Scottish management, having been employed as a head coach in the country for close to eight years cumulatively.

St Mirren punched above their weight in finishing fifth last term, while they currently sit sixth in the Premiership standings. 

Robinson can be backed at 5/2 to succeed Gray in Edinburgh.

Roy Keane Not yet Given Up On Management

It is almost 14 years since Roy Keane was last in charge of a team, but that has not stopped him being linked with jobs in both Scotland and England. 

Hibernian is the latest rumour, with odds of 3/1 available on the former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder being the club’s next boss.

Keane has worked at Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and with the Republic of Ireland national team over the last decade, so he has not been out of the game entirely. 

However, the Hibernian job might not be attractive enough to tempt him away from his various punditry gigs.

Neil Could Return North Of The Border 

Alex Neil cut his managerial teeth in his native Scotland, where he did a fine job at Hamilton before being poached by Norwich. 

Neil has worked south of the border since then - with mixed success. His most recent job at Stoke ended in December 2023 with the team on the cusp of the Championship relegation zone.

Out of work since then, Neil's name often appears in lists like these for jobs in the Championship in England and the Premiership in Scotland. 

He is no doubt biding his time for the right opportunity, which may turn out to be at Hibernian. At the time of writing Neil, priced at 4/1 with bookies, is seen as a contender for the job. 

Brown Has Hibs Connection

Scott Brown was a key figure in Scottish football during his playing days, when he won 10 Premiership titles with Celtic. 

But despite his long-standing association with the Hoops, the former midfielder actually began his career with Hibernian, making 135 appearances for the club. 

Brown is now in management having hung up his boots after a brief stint at Aberdeen. 

Currently in charge of Ayr United, Brown would doubtless be interested in the Hibernian job if a vacancy came up. 

Martindale Has Impressed In First Managerial Role 

David Martindale, an 11/2 option in this market, has a fascinating and unusual backstory. 

The 50-year-old spent time in prison for organised crime, and although he did not make it as a professional player, he was appointed as Livingston manager in 2020. 

Martindale’s side are currently second in the Championship as they seek to win promotion to the top flight. 

However, Gray himself is a relative newbie to management and his struggles so far could prompt Hibernian to appoint a successor with more Premiership experience. 

Still, that does not necessarily mean Martindale would not be a success at the helm of the club from the capital.  

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.