Newcastle Jets have appointed Branko Culina as head coach on a two-year contract, the A-League side announced today.

Culina takes on the role after previously being the Jets technical director and replaces Gary van Egmond, who stunned the club by handing in his resignation on Sunday after accepting a position at the Australian Institute of Sport. "The Newcastle Jets would like to announce Branko Culina as the head coach for the 2009/2010 season and 2010/2011 season," said Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas.

"Obviously it is a two year deal and we're happy to have Branko aboard. He is a very well credentialed person and we are fortunate to have him in our club for the forthcoming seasons."

Culina returns to coaching for the first time since departing fellow A-League side Sydney FC in 2007. "I think that Branko is the best man for the job," added Tsatsimas.

"He has been here since February and he has seen the club, he knows the players first-hand, he is an experienced coach, he is a very technical coach as is (assistant coach) Mark Jones and we believe that they will work well together. We also believe that it will provide the foundation for rectifying us results-wise and it will lead us into the Finals."