David Gray exited Hibernian on Wednesday evening after a dozen years as player, coach, and manager. It was a strange farewell; more sadness than satisfaction, more relief than euphoria. No Hibs supporter wanted to boo the man they called Sir David Gray, but a painful endgame unfolded for everybody.

Gray was different from previous sacked managers like Nick Montgomery, Lee Johnson, and Shaun Maloney. He was driven, passionate, and honest. He was the first manager at Easter Road to qualify for European football in consecutive seasons since Eddie Turnbull in the early 1970s. He also won at Ibrox in three consecutive seasons and at Celtic Park last season.

But six successive home league defeats equals a grim club record dating back to 1920. Two shots at European Conference League play-offs were wasted. Six points from six games, ninth in the table, and an awful loss to Kilmarnock on Tuesday did for him. Making the League Cup semi-final against Hearts wasn't enough.

Hibs look stale and rudderless. Players must shoulder blame, but they are largely protected. Others must look in the mirror: sporting director Malky Mackay, chairman Ian Gordon, and chief executive Dan Barnett. Gordon will likely lead the search for another manager.