Eddie May Departs Hibernian After 12 Years as Coach

Eddie May will leave Hibernian at the end of June, bringing down the curtain on a 12-year coaching stint at Easter Road and a relationship with the club that stretches back nearly four decades.

The 58-year-old, who made more than 100 appearances for Hibs between 1985 and 1989, returned to Leith in 2014 and has since worked across almost every layer of the football operation. From academy coaching to player development and into the first-team environment, May became one of the constants behind the scenes as managers and squads came and went.

His influence was not confined to the background. Twice in 2019 he stepped forward as caretaker manager, steadying the club in a turbulent spell and winning three of the five matches he took charge of. Those brief stints underlined the trust Hibs placed in him and the authority he carried in the dressing room.

When David Gray was confirmed as head coach in June 2024, May was again central to the club’s plans, named as one of his assistant coaches alongside Liam Craig. It looked like the continuation of a long-standing partnership: Gray the emerging head coach, May the experienced figure at his shoulder.

The landscape shifted last week when Hibs announced the return of John Potter, who previously served as assistant to Jack Ross between 2019 and 2021. Potter’s reappointment added another familiar face to the technical area and signalled further evolution in the backroom team.

Gray was quick to underline what May has meant to him personally and to Hibernian.

"I would like to personally thank Eddie for everything he has done for the club and for the support he has given me over the years, both as a player and a coach," said the Hibs head coach. "He has been a fantastic mentor, colleague and friend to me over the years and I am extremely grateful for all his support, advice and commitment."

May’s coaching career has never been limited to Easter Road. He managed Falkirk from 2009 to 2010, gaining experience in the dugout before returning to Hibs to help shape the club’s next generations.

Reflecting on his time in Leith, May described it as "an incredible privilege to work alongside so many dedicated players, coaches, supporters and friends who have made this journey so special".

A player in the 1980s, a caretaker in moments of need, a mentor to coaches and youngsters alike – May leaves Hibernian as more than just a departing staff member. He walks away as part of the club’s modern fabric, and his exit asks a clear question of the new regime: who now steps into the space he quietly, reliably filled for so long?