--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-17T16:02:08.365Z last_updated: 2026-06-17T10:39:49+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/bristol-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnJpc3RvbHBvc3QuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy9nZXJoYXJkLXN0cnViZXItcmVwb3J0ZWRseS10dXJucy1kb3duLTExMDE3NTEw --- # Struber reportedly turns down Saudi club's offer three months after City exit - **Source:** - **Published:** 17 Jun - **Club:** Bristol City - **Original URL:** https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gerhard-struber-reportedly-turns-down-11017510 According to Sky Sports Austria, the 49-year-old had been offered a lucrative two-year deal with the Saudi club - who finished 11th in the Pro League last season - but has declined the move due to differing opinions regarding the sporting direction of the first division side. Al-Fateh are on the hunt for a new manager after their previous boss, Jose Gomes, departed at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. The Portuguese coach is set to take charge of fellow Pro League side Al Khaleej, who finished level on points with Al-Fateh last term. Currently without a club, Struber arrived at Ashton Gate last June, succeeding Liam Manning in the Robins' dugout following the Englishman's move to Norwich City. Prior to his time as City boss, the Austrian had managed Wolfsberger FC, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg and, most recently, Koln. The move to south Bristol came about shortly after Struber had been sacked by the German club, who were on the verge of promotion to the Bundesliga. The 49-year-old made the perfect start to life in the West Country as he kick-started his tenure with a five-match unbeaten run in the Championship. That run included a memorable 4-1 opening day win over Sheffield United, the side that had condemned City to a record play-off defeat the season prior. All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Robins, delivered straight to your inbox. It's completely free and you can sign up HERE While the Robins were more than a little inconsistent over the course of the remainder of the first-half of the season, they headed into the festive period within touching distance of the top six. Unfortunately, hopes of promotion began to fade after the turn of the year. Ultimately, after a spell of six matches without a win, a period which included the Reds' FA Cup defeat to League One strugglers Port Vale, City took the decision to relieve Struber and his assistant Bernd Eibler of their duties during the March international breal. In a surprise move, former England, Inter Milan and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was named his successor on an interim basis. Many supporters voiced their frustration with the decision, with sections of the fanbase feeling Struber hadn't necessarily been financially backed to succeed. Join Bristol City Live's Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community. Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone. To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team. We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like. To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Click here to join our WhatsApp community. In the end, Hodgson was able to claim 10 points from seven games in charge at Ashton Gate to guide the Robins to a 12th place finish. With no intention of taking on the job long-term, the 78-year-old stepped back into retirement, and Michael Skubala has since been appointed as Struber's permanent replacement. The former Lincoln City boss officially started work in the West Country last week, with preparations well underway ahead of the Reds' pre-season. Players are set to return to the High Performance Centre in a matter of weeks, with the 2026/27 campaign kicking off with the first round of the Carabao Cup in early August. What the immediate future holds for Struber, though, is at this stage unclear. With a move to the Saudi Pro League seemingly now unlikely, the Austrian may opt to take some extended time out of the game, something he had been keen to do prior to his arrival in BS3.