GOLD Coast United chairman Clive Palmer says he has no regrets about his decision to suspend coach Miron Bleiberg and is not concerned that the disgruntled mentor may quit his job.

"He's been spectacularly unsuccessful this year, so he can't complain," Palmer told The Courier-Mail last night.

Palmer's right-hand man, Gold Coast chief executive Clive Mensink, will tomorrow hold crisis talks with Bleiberg regarding the unhappy coach's future on the Glitter Strip.

Bleiberg is offended after being banned by Palmer for saying that the chairman's decision to name 17-year-old Mitch Cooper as team captain for last night's clash against Melbourne Heart was merely a "ceremonial" gesture.

Assistant coach Mike Mulvey was in charge of the competition cellar dwellers at AAMI Park, where a late Eli Babalj goal secured the Heart a 1-0 win.

Palmer said Bleiberg could return to the coaching role at training on Monday - if he wanted to.

"He hasn't quit yet, but whatever Miron wants to do, he can do," Palmer said.

"The club's supported him through thick and thin."

Palmer said he had nothing personal against Bleiberg, but stood by his decision to ban the coach for belittling Cooper after endorsing the appointment of the A-League rookie as skipper in the absence of suspended regular captain Michael Thwaite.

"I suggested Mitch become captain. Miron was in favour of that initially," Palmer said.

"He announced it then he had a shot at the guy. You can't have a 17-year-old boy losing his confidence."

Palmer said he would have no hesitation appointing Mulvey as the club's permanent A-League coach if Bleiberg walked.

However, Palmer's ongoing antics have not pleased Football Federation Australia, with A-League boss Lyall Gorman unhappy with the "market conditions under which the club operates".

Cooper was solid without being spectacular, considering the pressure he was under in his debut.

Uncertainty over Gold Coast's future and Palmer's failure to make players concrete offers for next season yesterday cost the club the services of attacking weapon James Brown.

The Australian under-23 representative has signed a two-year deal with Newcastle Jets.

Originally published as Palmer defends ban on Miron