At the A-League launch, Branko Culina appeared entirely oblivious to the fact that he was just hours away from being dismissed as the coach of Newcastle Jets.
While surrounded by fellow coaches at the official season launch of the A-League, one of Australia’s most seasoned soccer coaches radiated positivity about the forthcoming season.
‘It’s been fantastic,’ Culina shared during a question-and-answer session for coaches, reflecting on his experience under Nathan Tinkler’s ownership.
‘With a new owner comes fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm throughout the club.
‘Our goal is to transform the team into a cohesive club, and we’re making progress.’
These weren’t the words of someone aware that he would soon be out of a job, just over an hour later.
When it comes to shocking dismissals, Branko Culina’s exit from the Newcastle Jets likely stands out as one of the most surprising in recent memory.
It has been reported that Culina received a call on Monday to arrange a meeting with owner Tinkler and the chief executive of Tinkler’s sports group, Troy Palmer, for Tuesday.
The details of the meeting, which occurred soon after the launch, remain unclear, yet the outcome is unmistakable: Culina is now without a job.
The decision to sack him with just four days left before the Jets’ opening match against Melbourne Heart must have been difficult to digest.
It is particularly harsh that Culina spent his last hours as coach attending the season launch, passionately discussing the team’s future while the Jets’ decision-makers had likely already made their choice.
This unexpected announcement overshadowed the launch by Football Federation Australia, which had been eagerly anticipated for the season ahead.
It also left the Jets in a state of turmoil just before the new season commenced.
However, despite the potential disarray among the Jets players, they appeared unfazed as they resumed training as scheduled on Tuesday afternoon.
‘The timing is certainly not ideal, but that’s what the higher-ups decided,’ acknowledged veteran midfielder Kasey Wehrman.
‘Everyone understands it’s not the best situation, but when is it ever good to be dismissed?
‘There’s never a perfect time .. it’s similar to parting ways with a girlfriend; there’s never a right moment.
‘What’s done is done, and now we must focus on our responsibilities.’
by Buford Balony
