ID :
211112
Tue, 10/04/2011 - 13:01
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/211112
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Culina sacking overshadows A-League launch
SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct 04 - Newcastle's sensational sacking of coach Branko Culina overshadowed the launch of the highly-anticipated new A-League season as drama surrounding the club's signing of his injured Socceroos son Jason came to a head on Tuesday.
The Jets dropped a bombshell on the league, and the Culina family, on Tuesday afternoon by announcing they had terminated Branko's five-year coaching contract immediately and signalled their intent to have midfielder Jason Culina's three-year marquee deal "set aside".
It came just four days out from the 2011/12 season and little more than an hour after Branko had attended the A-League's official season launch in Sydney.
There the experienced mentor appeared in good spirits and was upbeat about his side's chances ahead of the Jets' opening match against Melbourne Heart on Saturday.
Culina was sacked after a meeting with Jets owner Nathan Tinkler and Tinkler sports group chief executive Troy Palmer shortly after the launch.
The Jets did not reveal the reasons behind the sacking of the coach, though there are suggestions the club may have thought Culina knew more than he let on about the nature of his son's injury before he was signed.
However Branko has said in the past he stayed out of the negotiations to sign his son, so he wasn't perceived to have had a personal interest.
Jason, signed on a three-year deal in the off-season from Gold Coast on a deal reportedly worth $2.65 million, was last week ruled out for the season due to needing further surgery on an ongoing knee injury.
The injury was not covered by insurance, reportedly angering billionaire owner Tinkler.
While the details of the coach's axing remain unclear, the Jets said they had applied to FFA to have Jason's contract terminated fearing he may not be able to return to the park beyond this season.
Jets' chief executive officer Robbie Middleby said in a statement: "The decision to terminate the contracts was made after a long deliberation by the Newcastle Jets' Advisory Board.
"The club believes that it is highly unlikely that Jason will return to the A-League in the near future, following medical advice."
Tinkler, who took over the club last season, acknowledged the timing of the announcement was not ideal but backed the club's staff and players to get on with the new season.
"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," Tinkler said.
"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 declined to comment his sacking on Tuesday while Jason's manager Leo Karis said he would withhold comment until the situation become clearer.
However the sackings are likely to leave both father and son weighing up their legal options.
The Jets said National Youth League coach Craig Deans would take over the coaching role for Saturday's match, with an announcement on a new coach to come in the "near future".
Former A-League coaches including Gary van Egmond, John Kosmina and Frank Farina were among those speculatively linked to the role on Tuesday, though the ambitious Tinkler could also look overseas for a replacement.
Deans, a former Perth Glory defender, admitted he "had not had much time to think about" his swift promotion to interim coach at Tuesday's training session.
Newly-promoted Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse denied Culina's departure would rock the playing group, saying they were still focused on the job at hand against the Heart.
"It's just one of those things, people come and go at football clubs and we've got a game in four days and that's our priority at the moment," he said.
The Jets dropped a bombshell on the league, and the Culina family, on Tuesday afternoon by announcing they had terminated Branko's five-year coaching contract immediately and signalled their intent to have midfielder Jason Culina's three-year marquee deal "set aside".
It came just four days out from the 2011/12 season and little more than an hour after Branko had attended the A-League's official season launch in Sydney.
There the experienced mentor appeared in good spirits and was upbeat about his side's chances ahead of the Jets' opening match against Melbourne Heart on Saturday.
Culina was sacked after a meeting with Jets owner Nathan Tinkler and Tinkler sports group chief executive Troy Palmer shortly after the launch.
The Jets did not reveal the reasons behind the sacking of the coach, though there are suggestions the club may have thought Culina knew more than he let on about the nature of his son's injury before he was signed.
However Branko has said in the past he stayed out of the negotiations to sign his son, so he wasn't perceived to have had a personal interest.
Jason, signed on a three-year deal in the off-season from Gold Coast on a deal reportedly worth $2.65 million, was last week ruled out for the season due to needing further surgery on an ongoing knee injury.
The injury was not covered by insurance, reportedly angering billionaire owner Tinkler.
While the details of the coach's axing remain unclear, the Jets said they had applied to FFA to have Jason's contract terminated fearing he may not be able to return to the park beyond this season.
Jets' chief executive officer Robbie Middleby said in a statement: "The decision to terminate the contracts was made after a long deliberation by the Newcastle Jets' Advisory Board.
"The club believes that it is highly unlikely that Jason will return to the A-League in the near future, following medical advice."
Tinkler, who took over the club last season, acknowledged the timing of the announcement was not ideal but backed the club's staff and players to get on with the new season.
"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," Tinkler said.
"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 declined to comment his sacking on Tuesday while Jason's manager Leo Karis said he would withhold comment until the situation become clearer.
However the sackings are likely to leave both father and son weighing up their legal options.
The Jets said National Youth League coach Craig Deans would take over the coaching role for Saturday's match, with an announcement on a new coach to come in the "near future".
Former A-League coaches including Gary van Egmond, John Kosmina and Frank Farina were among those speculatively linked to the role on Tuesday, though the ambitious Tinkler could also look overseas for a replacement.
Deans, a former Perth Glory defender, admitted he "had not had much time to think about" his swift promotion to interim coach at Tuesday's training session.
Newly-promoted Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse denied Culina's departure would rock the playing group, saying they were still focused on the job at hand against the Heart.
"It's just one of those things, people come and go at football clubs and we've got a game in four days and that's our priority at the moment," he said.
