Branko Culina has been sacked from the Newcastle Jets head coach role, with youth team coach Craig Deans taking over the role in the interim. Was this a smart move on the Jets behalf?
Culina has been with the club since the 2009 season, and has been training the squad over a 180 day long pre-season. The decision to terminate his contract has passed with the Jets playing against Melbourne Heart in just four days time for the Jets.
This decision has obviously come late in the piece, and while the circumstances are at this stage unknown, most see the links between son Jason’s season-ending knee injury after surgery.
Club owner Nathan Tinkler appears to be upset with his insurance company, as they won’t cover the costs of the surgery.
It is absurd to think Branko Culina would know that his son was going to have a recurring knee injury. If Tinkler should fire anyone, why doesn’t he leave the insurance company he is with?
I’d rather see Branko sacked for poor run of results or something a bit better then Tinkler being angry about a medical cost.
Branko was there with the club through a tough period under the old Con Constantine ownership, stuck with the club when there was no certain future and when it looked as though the club would fold.
I would of loved to see him at least take the reigns of the Heart game on the weekend to farewell him.
I would extend thanks to Branko for everything he has contributed to the Newcastle Jets the past two seasons.
I would also like to say on a more positive note congratulations to Craig Deans for taking on the head coaching role in the interim and wish him all the best as a young coach in Australia.
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