In a stunning development, Culina senior was all smiles when he attended the official national launch of the season at the Sydney Football Stadium this morning before attending a meeting with club officials several hours later.
It is understood that Jets officials informed him at the meeting that his contract had been terminated.
Culina was reluctant to divulge much when asked comment by The Australian this afternoon.
“You better talk to the club,” he said.
Former Perth Glory defender Craig Deans has been named interim coach.
Socceroo Jason, who signed with the Jets from Gold Coast United at the end of last season, was in the news two weeks ago when he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
It is believed the Jets have applied to the game’s international ruling body FIFA to have Jason Culina’s contract ruled void.
Branko Culina is regarded as one of the best coaches in the country. He took the Jets to the finals last season when the club was in dire financial straits after owner Con Constantine hit problems.
Tinkler, who also owns the Newcastle Knights rugby league club, then took over the Jets late last season after being granted a 10 year licence.
Tinkler said he supports the position taken by the Jets' management to sack the two Culinas.
However Branko has said in the past he stayed out of the negotiations to 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.
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