The Jets have a long list of creditors and could be at risk of collapse without an immediate financial injection,but given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian sport,it's unlikely FFA would have the capacity to bail out the club if Lee was to hand back his A-League licence.
FFA declined to answer questions on the status of any possible new owners for the Jets and whether the federation was in a position to run the club in a worst-case scenario.
McKinna did not return calls but confirmed onFox Sports News that Robinson was likely to leave. He said the Wanderers had been totally"up front"throughout the process and expressed confidence over the club's future.
"He'll be a big miss to the club but Carl's got aspirations of being a top coach and at the moment,with the uncertainty at Newcastle Jets,that's why he would consider probably leaving,because we've done everything right by Carl and the coaching staff,"he said.
"We're very hopeful we'll get an owner very,very soon. I can assure the Newcastle Jets fans the Jets will be kicking off in the new A-League season when it comes about."
Loading
Club owners are set to assume total control of the competition in the coming weeks,with a legal separation from FFA expected to be finalised by the end of the year – but until that happens,it's unclear who would hold the licence of a club unable to continue in the A-League.
As revealed by theHerald in August,some A-League owners have discussed pooling together funds to buy out struggling clubs like the Jets, and this could be the first case where such a plan is used in the event a suitable buyer cannot be found.
The A-League is due to expand to 12 teams with the introduction of Macarthur FC next season,and the loss of any club would be a severe blow to the competition,which has only one year left on its current broadcast deal with Fox Sports.
Meanwhile,the Wanderers have turned down an approach from Western United star Max Burgess'representatives,fearing a perceived conflict of interest with Robinson's management.
Burgess still has a season left on his contract with Western United but despite this,A-League sources have indicated he has been shopped around to NSW clubs.
The 25-year-old is managed by the Avid Sports&Entertainment Group – the same agency as Robinson,his Jets assistant Kenny Miller and several players who signed for the club during his tenure,including Joe Ledley,Bernie Ibini and James Donachie.
Western United chief executive Chris Pehlivanis confirmed Burgess is a"contracted and required player"for the club and that it would not sanction a move to an A-League rival – while sources close to the situation have indicated Western Sydney were unwilling to entertain it for appearance reasons.
Sport newsletter
Sports news,results and expert commentary delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up to theHerald's weekday newsletterhere andThe Age's weekly newsletterhere.