The Newcastle Jets have dramatically sacked coach Branko Culina just four days before the start of the A-League season, terminating his contract effective immediately, while seeking to set aside Jason Culina’s contract as the fallout from the marquee signing’s knee injury continues.
Club owner Nathan Tinker’s comments hint at backroom issues with the club, as Jason’s injury rules him out for the season while reportedly on a $2.4m three-season marquee contract.
“Jason’s injury could mean the Jets are without their marquee player for up to three seasons – not a good result for the club, supporters, sponsors and players,” said Tinkler.
“While I acknowledge the difficult timing of this announcement, I am confident in the character of the Jets’ players and staff who will quickly put this matter behind them and enjoy a great season”.
Branko was present at the A-League launch this morning, but reportedly left early as management were tearing up his contract.
The Jets now face the Melbourne Heart on Saturday with National Youth League coach Craig Deans preparing the side.
The Jets have been unbeaten in their pre-season preparations, and captain Jobe Wheelhouse said the club would pull together.
“We are professional footballers and after our long pre-season it is important we remained focused on Saturday’s game.
“When faced with this type of adversity it can often spur players and the team on to greater performances.
“We are hopeful for a big turn out at Ausgrid Stadium, and our Members and can be assured that we will do Newcastle proud.”
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October 4th 2011 @ 2:33pm
Mtrain63 said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
Does anyone know the issues that the article is alluding to?
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October 4th 2011 @ 2:49pm
Steve said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
I’m guessing that they (Newcastle FC) signed jason on the insistence of father/coach branko. Now confirmed that Jason will be out for a year this could mean that the Newcastle board feel that branko sold them a lemon. A 3 year deal/$2.5M not chance for another marquee player oUCH!
But you would think that the Newcastle FC signed a contract with Jason after passing a medico?
Or did they just sign without due diligence on their behalf. If that case branko is victim.
It could also mean that Newcastle FC have a better coach waiting and needed a reason to sack branko ASAP.
October 4th 2011 @ 2:42pm
Midfielder said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
To me it reads Newcastle management think Branko signed his son knowing he had a career ending injury… i.e. seeking FFA put aside Jason’s contract…
October 4th 2011 @ 2:48pm
Rellum said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Bad for Branko and Jason, good for the Heart
. I wonder if they have a new manager lined up?
October 4th 2011 @ 2:48pm
Johnno said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
If the jets sacked Branko because of his son’s injury, i think that is harsh. Branko is a good coach, and they are assuming branch would have a conflict of interest and not be professional in his issues with the Jets team. If that is the case then i think that is nonsense. The Jets have lost a high quality coach in Branko Culina.
October 4th 2011 @ 2:52pm
Ante R said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
branko was old-skool. i dont rate him in todays football. Nor did I rate him in the 90′s when he was the only Melbourne Knights coach NOT to take them to the finals. And that team had Viduka FFS!
October 4th 2011 @ 2:54pm
Midfielder said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Johnno
It reads like Dad knew about the injury and how bad it was … if so … signing your son to a 2.4 million dollar contract knowing he may never play a game is highly questionable…
If Dad did not know then its harsh…
October 4th 2011 @ 3:05pm
Johnno said | October 4th 2011 @ 3:05pm | Report comment
True Midfielder if Dad did not know that is harsh. Branko always impressed me as a good man manager, who players liked as a person and had a good ability to get his players to want to play for him. Not to aussy Guss levels i don’t think any coach has achieved that, but he came across as a players coach and well liked by all sections of Australian football never heard a bad word about Branko Culina compared to some of the more loud or aggressive A-league coaches. But if Branko did know about his son’s Medical status then yes he should be sacked on the basis of deception.
But maybe the reasons were different but i see 2 striking similarities between Branko’s sacking at Sydney F.C in 2007 and now at Newcastle jets in 2011. Both were treated with a strong level of surprise and shock at least to the fans and sporting public, i ca’t comment accurately about what really goes on football clubs as i have never worked at one and am not there at newcastle but everyone in both situations were surprised and had the unexpected emotion of like wow i did not expect that coming caught of guard energy with both Brank Culina sackings.
So maybe Branko just is good on the PR front to the public he has had media experience not to many ago with SBS, or maybe he just is an average coach who is just good on the PR front.
This is not uncommon in sports for a coach to to have one strength and not be as good at the other, maybe Branko lack the technical ability but i highly doubt that as im quite sure he wa sone time NSW academy of sport technical director and technical director at the Newcastle Jets to, so he surly has enough technical coaching ability for the A-league standard based on this past jobs.
Phil Mooney ex QLD reds coach got sacked everyone was surprised coz everyone said he was a good bloke and was moulding a young team, and in comes Ewan mckensie and with in 2 years they win the title. So maybe Branko is a coach not up to A-league standard, but i find that hard to believe because i am quite sure he won some NSL title either with melbloourne knights or sdyeny untied.
But boih situations in who he has been sacked resemble a total caught of guard response midfielder, or maybe he Branko is ht one with the problem in both situations. Hard to tell as we do not know enough about this Newcastle Jets sacking the real reasons why yet. But i was surprised like most people yes.
October 4th 2011 @ 7:40pm
BeeRTRuCK said | October 4th 2011 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
man management a strong point???
Marcello Fiorentini facebook page:
“..wake up this morning reading about that **** sacked?? Priceless..”
perhaps wont be missed by the players
October 4th 2011 @ 2:59pm
Griffo said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
Yes, there was a point made by Branko and advisory board about Branko stepping away from the decision on appointing Jason. Ray Baartz said to blame himself as he recommended to go ahead and sign.
Hopefully there is something concrete and not a knee-jerk reaction to whether Jason may or may not play next season.
On that note, you wonder what the prognosis was post op last week?
Shame, will never know how Branko would have gone with the team after this pre-season.
October 4th 2011 @ 2:52pm
Griffo said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
Wow. Just floored by this. Four days from season opening game; coach away with some of the team at launch while the contract was being shredded by the proverbial fan.
Must be a lot happening behind the scenes for this to occur.
Just when the pre-season was going (almost) perfectly.
Going to be an interesting first few rounds…
October 4th 2011 @ 2:52pm
Al said | October 4th 2011 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
Great time to do it, just days before the first game.
October 4th 2011 @ 3:04pm
Michael said | October 4th 2011 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
It could be that Branko disagreed with the club’s efforts to reverse Jason’s contract. Arguing to keep a marquee player who can’t play isn’t a good look if you’re his father. Maybe he said “if you sack Jason, then sack me as well”.
October 4th 2011 @ 4:34pm
TomC said | October 4th 2011 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
Hmm. Thats an interesting thought.
October 4th 2011 @ 3:27pm
Brian said | October 4th 2011 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
What a low act — and such great timing.
One only hopes that one day the heirarchy at this club will have an equally graceful exit.
Every good wish to you Branko: if there’s anyone on the face of the earth that can come back from this, it’s you — an amazing career as a player and coach, one of the greatest this country has ever seen.
October 4th 2011 @ 3:39pm
Bondy said | October 4th 2011 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
Interesting to hear rumours on Fox sports that lawrie Mc Kinna and Gary Van Egmond have been potentially pencilled in for the position .
October 4th 2011 @ 4:38pm
Griffo said | October 4th 2011 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
442 forum in a bit of a meltdown – merrick is firming favourite to take over.
Not sure that sounds good, but if true then moves have been afoot for some time.