JETS chief executive Lawrie McKinna has hosed down suggestions that the club's A-League future is in doubt despite the impending departure of coach Carl Robinson six months into a three-and-a-half-year deal.
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Western Sydney are expected to confirm Robinson's appointment as a replacement for Jean-Paul de Marigny at a press conference on Thursday morning after the Jets gave the former Welsh international permission to negotiate. De Marigny was sacked suddenly on Monday.
It's understood that Robinson and assistant Kenny Miller have exit clauses in their contracts at the Jets, which is common for foreign coaches on long-term deals.
"If they choose to leave, it will be very disappointing," McKinna said. "We gave them everything we could under our circumstances. We have never been in breach of their contracts. We bent over backwards to get them back in the country [post COVID-19 shutdown] and to get their families out here. We were looking to build over the next three years with them. That is not having a go at them, it is how it is."
Robinson did not return calls and messages on Wednesday. His exit will leave the Jets looking for their third coach inside a year.
Owner Martin Lee has been trying to offload the Jets for 18 months and appears no longer willing to bankroll the club.
The Jets have been treading water and speculation surfaced on Wednesday that they were in danger of drowning without an immediate injection of money.
However, McKinna refuted those claims and has assured Jets fans "we will be in the A-League" when it kicks off in late December.
"We are not in any different position to where we were a couple of months ago," McKinna said. "We have been getting by. We owe money but we have slowly been paying bills. We have paid the players and the staff and they have all their entitlements. Monthly wages are due to be paid tomorrow and although the players have agreed to a new [reduced] pay deal they will receive the full amount.
"It has been well documented that we are actively looking for owners. We have had some very close. COVID hasn't helped that but we have one being presented to the FFA board today."
A proposed takeover by Melbourne-based investment company Sky Jade Capital fell over a fortnight ago.
However, the Newcastle Herald understands a new consortium has agreed in principle with Martin Lee to buy the club and the deal is awaiting the the tick of approval from FFA.
The Jets' financial restraints are believed to have contributed to Robinson's decision to defect to Western Sydney.
They finished above Wanderers last season, however they cannot compete with Western Sydney's resources, which includes a $15 million headquarters, and superior player budget.
Robinson, who joined Newcastle after the sacking of Ernie Merrick in January, is under contract to the Jets for another three seasons.
His arrival at the Jets last season sparked a remarkable form reversal. They won seven and drew three of his 11 games at the helm to move from bottom of the ladder to within three points of making the finals.
In the process, they beat a host of play-off clubs, including eventual champions Sydney and runners-up Melbourne City.
The Jets start preseason training on October 26 and have 16 senior players contracted headed by Bernie Ibini, Steve Ugarkovic and Nikolai Topor-Stanley. Nigel Boogaard has also agreed to terms.
They have loaned out new signing James Donachie (FC Goa) and wingback Matt Millar (Shrewsbury Town).
"Letting Donachie and Millar go out on loan was to do with the [new] salary cap," McKinna said.
"Donachie was a big signing for us. We can pick up a loan fee and save on his wages because we have cover at the back.
"Millar is out of contract at the end of the season and in December we will find out of we can get a transfer fee for him. Otherwise he goes for free at the end of the season."
The Jets intend to sign at least two more players but the quality of the recruit is likely to hinge on the ownership situation.
"We are trying to work out our budget and what we have to go for other players," Mckinna said. "We don't know who the owner is going to be to set a budget."
Meanwhile, former Jets captain and championship-winning Broadmeadow tactician Ruben Zadkovich has been appointed assistant coach with the Perth Glory.
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James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
