Bleiberg not worried about Gold Coast job

Updated December 04, 2011 13:41:07

Despite yet another largely dispirited showing from his side in a 2-0 loss in Perth on Saturday night, Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg is not feeling the pressure.

Gold Coast remains anchored to the bottom of the A-League table after a 2-0 loss to the Glory, who had lost four of their past five games.

The manner of the loss was as alarming as the score. United literally handed the hosts the win.

There were two avoidable penalties, with Zach Anderson's 19th minute blunder the most baffling.

With no opponent near him, Anderson put both hands up in the air and the ball did nothing but bang straight into his outstretched arms.

For Bleiberg that summed up the problems of having a young and inexperienced team.

But despite his charges' sixth loss for the season, Bleiberg is not concerned about his job security - largely because owner Clive Palmer played a hand in constructing the team.

"We are paying the price obviously for going with young players and there are no miracles, but that's the decisions of the club," Bleiberg said.

"I am employed by the club and if Clive decides to go with the youngsters, I don't tell him no. That's life and we are going with the youngsters.

"Every few years as a coach you have a year where nothing works for you. This is my year but how the year is ending or whatever, there is no pressure because I am talking to Clive.

"That's it. Life is as normal. In my case, I think it is an irrelevant question at the moment.

"Do I want to continue to work with these youngsters? Yes.

"Do I believe that we can turn the corner? I believe that we can do it this year.

"There's no pressure, nothing."

Bleiberg restrained himself from blasting Anderson, who compounded his mistake with a careless challenge in the 62nd minute on Glory's Andrezinho to earn his second yellow card.

"It was the most obvious penalty you can ever see," Bleiberg said.

"I think maybe he thought he played for Fremantle Aussie Rules. Honestly it was strange, but that's it.

"Zach didn't play bad. (But) him not playing bad still cost a red card and penalty.

"So what can you do, do you shoot him? No. I'm not abusing him or throwing a vacuum cleaner or bottle at him.

"If I scream at him, it makes him think about my scream. Instead let it eat it from himself inside and he won't do it anymore. That's my philosophy and psychology."

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, robina-4226, qld, australia

First posted December 04, 2011 13:41:07

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Bleiberg awaits judgement, Golec banned

Updated November 12, 2011 08:58:58

Celebrations for Miron Bleiberg's 100th A-League game as coach may be shortlived, with the outspoken Gold Coast United mentor facing a suspended ban on Saturday.

Bleiberg was expected to learn his fate over last round's controversial post-match outburst on Friday - just hours before he was set to mark his impressive milestone against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.

However, Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirmed findings on Bleiberg's rant would be revealed on Saturday - but it had nothing to do with the colourful mentor's looming milestone.

Bleiberg joins the 100-game club along with Ernie Merrick, Lawrie McKinna and Ricki Herbert, but he is the only A-League foundation coach still standing.

Bleiberg has already issued an apology in a bid to try and explain Sunday's outburst in which he not only claimed "homey" referee Peter Green favoured hosts Sydney FC but also hinted that the FFA were intent on ensuring the Sky Blues were successful.

Bleiberg vented his spleen after his team led 2-0 only to lose following a stoppage time penalty.

He tried to further explain the frustration behind his outburst after arriving in Adelaide.

"Forget the issue about the penalty - right or wrong - and the referee, I was a bit disappointed that up to 2-0 everything went to plan ... then we entered into fright mode and we stopped playing ... and hence the result," Bleiberg told the Gold Coast website.

"We have to improve on that part of our game ... not just protect our lead.

"I always say if you make a mistake - and even if you pay for it and get punished - the most important thing is that you learn from it and you are not repeating it."

Meanwhile, Adelaide United defender Antony Golec will not play this weekend as part of his penalty for a homophobic slur on Twitter against A-League referee Ben Williams.

Golec has received a three-match ban, which has been suspended for the second and third games.

He is not allowed to play in either United's A-League clash on Friday night or in the National Youth League fixture on Sunday - both against Gold Coast United.

A ban for the further two games will be triggered if Golec breaches the code of conduct again during the season or fails to undergo "appropriate counseling and education" by March 11.

"Adelaide United FC is tasked with ensuring that this is carried out in an appropriate manner," a Football Federation Australia statement said.

"Compliance with this requirement, and accordingly whether the two-match suspension will be triggered, shall be determined by FFA in its sole discretion."

Golec, 21, has apologised for his "foolish" Twitter posts about Williams, who came in for heavy criticism after issuing red cards to Melbourne Victory players Ante Covic and Matthew Foschini in the first half of the 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar last round.

Golec has written a letter of apology to Williams, while Adelaide have warned the young defender his contract will be ripped up if he transgresses again.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted November 11, 2011 18:28:36

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