Gold Coast United have suspended coach Miron Bleiberg following the appointment of teenager Mitch Cooper as skipper for Friday night’s A-League clash with Melbourne Heart.

It is believed billionaire owner Clive Palmer was unhappy with comments made by Bleiberg in relation to 17-year-old Cooper receiving the captaincy.

Palmer decided to appoint Cooper as stand-in captain for the suspended Michael Thwaite despite the teenager having no A-League experience.

Cooper – who represented the Joeys at last year’s FIFA under 17 World Cup – will be just 17 years and 152 days when he runs out at AAMI Stadium.

United keeper Glen Moss said assistant coach Mike Mulvey would take over the reins on Friday night.

“Mike Mulvey will do the job for us Friday night as the club has suspended Miron,” Glen Moss tweeted.

“Mike has full respect of the group and is a top coach.”