Palmer felt Bleiberg publicly belittled the owner's bizarre decision to appoint 17-year-old debutant Mitch Cooper as stand-in skipper for United.

Bleiberg said in newspaper reports on Monday that he would not return because he felt "disrespected" by Palmer and that the owner had taken his dignity away.

"No resignation letter was received by the club but given comments made in the media over recent days the club have dismissed Miron from his position as head coach effective immediately," United boss Clive Mensink said.

"We were scheduled to have lunch today but given his comments it was clear Miron wasn't going to come back so on that basis the club thought it was fair enough to say Miron was no longer officially involved.

"I would like to thank Miron for his excellent service for the club - we obviously had some memorable moments together."

Assistant Mike Mulvey will replace Bleiberg for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Mensink played down concerns for the club's future after Palmer's relationship with Football Federation Australia (FFA) appeared untenable following his weekend comments.

Palmer was criticised by the FFA for describing the A-League as a "joke" and his club as "insignificant".

The billionaire owner described soccer as a "hopeless game" and dared the FFA to strip him of Gold Coast's licence.

"He has clarified those quotes - they have obviously been taken out of context," Mensink said.

Asked if he expected Gold Coast United to remain in the competition, Mensink said: "As I stand here today that's the idea.

"Nothing has changed but obviously there has been a bit of a disruption - that's it."

And that has infuriated Australia’s soccer authorities, who hit back in a cutting four paragraph statement.

"Football fans across Australia will today rightfully condemn the lack of respect inherent in comments made by Clive Palmer," said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.

"The comments are offensive to the players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who are the life and soul of Australian football.

"We welcomed Clive into the game and lauded his investment, but no matter how frustrated Clive may feel about his involvement, these comments are out of order.

"I remind Clive that as a chairman and owner of a club, he has obligations to the competition, his fellow club chairman and investors in the other nine clubs, and to the game itself."

Palmer, who was part of the debacle which saw coach Miron Bleiberg suspended this week, admitted he did not even like soccer, despite owning the A-League franchise.

"I don't even like the game," he told News Limited.

"I think it's a hopeless game. Rugby league's a much better game."

"The club is a very small, insignificant portion of what I do. We've got over $20 billion of projects."

"If we wanted to stay (in the A-League) and they (FFA) wanted to take it (the licence) off us, they'd all be in court, and Ben Buckley would run a thousand miles.

"That's the reality of it. They can say what they like ... the A-League's a joke. I don't think I'll ever talk to Ben again in my life, to be honest."

"I know our team's bottom of the table, but ... they've got all the skills these guys. They're going to be Socceroos most of them."

Two-goal hero Berisha was celebrating his first before most of the 18,523-strong Suncorp Stadium crowd had taken their seats in a sign of the fireworks to come.

The Albanian struck after forcing his way past four Victory defenders to notch his 14th goal of the season - a new club record - with less than a minute on the clock.

Kewell then claimed his first of the night in the ninth minute after some slick lead-up work by Marco Rojas.

That sparked the Victory to life before hitman Berisha put the hosts back ahead in the 32nd minute.

A pin-point Tomas Broich pass found Henrique and the Brazilian livewire's sublime cross ensured Berisha extended his record to 15.

Victory looked shellshocked and six minutes later it was 3-1 when Erik Paartalu was felled in the area and Henrique made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Kewell again lifted his team early in the second half, pouncing on an error in the 50th minute by Broich to produce a finish which gave keeper Michael Theoklitos no chance.

But second placed Roar held their nerve against the eighth-placed Victory to notch their third straight win and remain five points behind leader Central Coast.

Palmer appointed 17-year-old first-gamer Mitch Cooper as captain, banished Bleiberg after the coach described the appointment as a symbolic one, promoted youth team coach Mulvey, then rolled out a team full of teenagers to take on the Heart.

Bleiberg's position appears untenable at Gold Coast.

Now Mulvey could find himself given the job at least for the rest of the season, working with a group of players he has fostered through the club's youth system for the past three years.

Aside from going back to his day job coaching United's youth team on Sunday, Mulvey admits he doesn't know what his future holds.

But of his club's future - the subject of much conjecture in a season likely to end with the wooden spoon and with only one player signed for next year - Mulvey is far more certain.

He believes Gold Coast's way forward was on display in a fearless and disciplined effort against the far more experienced Heart, who only pinched all three points with substitute Eli Babalj's 79th minute winner.

"The future is absolutely bright for Gold Coast United, I've got no doubt about that," Mulvey said.

"What you've seen tonight is something that's been born in the youth team, and is coming to fruition in the A-League."

While not widely known outside Queensland, Mulvey has been responsible for developing much of the state's best young male and female football talent when in charge of the Queensland Academy of Sport's soccer programs.

Mulvey is believed to have just missed out on the Newcastle Jets coach's job when Branko Culina was sacked - the club opting for Gary van Egmond instead.

A former NSL player with Brisbane Lions, the English-born 48-year-old has no idea whether he will be in charge for Gold Coast's clash with competition leaders Central Coast on Wednesday night, or if long-time colleague Bleiberg will return.

"I'm an ambitious person, but I'm also a loyal person," Mulvey said.

"There's no rush. Whatever steps I have to take in my career I'll take. But this isn't about me, it's about these players ... they were playing for their futures."

But the trio won't return to Australia until at least Friday, giving van 't Schip a difficult decision ahead of Sunday's home clash with competition leaders Central Coast Mariners.

"We have to see how they feel," van 't Schip said.

"Hopefully they come back with the freshness to be ready for the last five games of the season and to help the team if they're going to be in the line-up or on the bench."

Most vexing will be whether Behich can immediately displace youngster Craig Goodwin, who continued his excellent introduction to the A-League with another marauding effort at left-back in the 1-0 win over Gold Coast United at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Behich was the competition's form left-back until joining the Olyroos, but Goodwin has built a compelling case for retention.

The Heart have also welcomed back Brazilian playmaker Fred and midfield workhorse Matt Thompson from injury - both playing a vital role in setting up Eli Babalj's second half match-winner against Gold Coast.

Fred is confident his troublesome groin problem is behind him, producing an excellent effort on his return and lifting the Heart back into the winners' list for the first time in nine matches.

The Heart haven't won a game this season without Fred in the line-up.

"We all know how important Fred is ... we know his energy and presence is very important and he showed that again," van 't Schip said.

But he returned to train lightly on Thursday, with coach Jim Magilton set to give the A-League's all-time leading goalscorer as much time as needed before making a decision on whether he will play against the Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

"There's still 48 hours to go. He's desperate to play," Magilton said on Thursday.

"I'll hand it over to the (medical) experts and then, if they feel he's okay to play, then it will be up to me to decide whether he plays."

Thompson has been below-par in front of goal in recent matches, though he starred in the first half of the season.

Victory have also promoted midfielder Billy Celeski to their squad after his recovery from injury.

But Magilton is unlikely to make any unforced changes from the side which beat competition leaders Central Coast last weekend - a win which brought the club back into finals contention.

Magilton has been hellbent on restoring confidence at the club, and says it is vitally important for his side to back up last weekend's performance against the Roar.

"I'd like us to go on a run obviously. We played well last week. We deserved to win the game I feel," Magilton said.

"We've just got to make sure that we are at the same sort of intensity going into this game, recognising that Brisbane is a tough proposition at home.

"I'd like to build that momentum."

The second-placed Roar sent ominous signs with a win over Wellington Phoenix last weekend - giving them wins in successive weeks against the other teams in the top three.

Magilton is mindful of the havoc Brisbane can cause if allowed to maintain possession, or if the Victory give the ball away recklessly.

"Brisbane go into every game believing they can win. They've got a system of play which suits their players and they've been excellent all season," Magilton said.

"Their ball retention is very good .. (but) I believe we've good players and I believe we are starting to get the rewards for everything we do on the training ground.

"Our performance was good and our ball retention was good (last week).

"We are going to have to be that good again, because if we give the ball away we mightn't see it for a while."

The 33-year-old midfielder won the club's most valuable player award last season and has played a key role in helping lift the Glory into fourth spot on the table ahead of Saturday's home clash with Newcastle Jets.

Mehmet was a mainstay in the starting XI earlier this season, but has been forced to ply his trade off the bench in recent times with coach Ian Ferguson opting to play Shane Smeltz as a lone striker.

The decision to appoint Cooper was made by the club's owner Clive Palmer.

Bleiberg was sensationally axed for this weekend's game for comments he made about the decision to hand the captaincy to a 17-year-old who had never played a senior game.

Bleiberg said the captaincy was "ceremonial", given Cooper will skipper for just one game in the absence of regular captain Michael Thwaite, who is also suspended.

United chief executive Clive Mensink said the club took the decision to appoint Cooper "seriously" and were unhappy with Bleiberg describing it as ceremonial.

"We felt his comments belittled the appointment of Mitch Cooper," Mensink told AAP.

He would not speculate on when or if Bleiberg would return to the club.

"I am not going to go into that," Mensink said.

"We will have discussions with him in the coming days and go from there."

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," Moss tweeted.

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

United's former strength and conditioning coach Adrian Cois slammed Palmer's decision.

"Who is the worst coach in the A-League? Clive Palmer," he tweeted.

"He hasn't let Miron run the team - put your money in and let the pros do their jobs!

"Saving grace is that Mike can coach... Only problem is it seems Clive has put the team out - if I had a membership I'd ask for a refund!

"Clive Palmer has lost his marbles - if he had any in the first place.

"Mitch Cooper as Captain? Good kid but please."

- With AAP

Cooper will stand in for suspended skipper Michael Thwaite.

Palmer said the 17-year-old's ascent to the top job was a symbolic gesture to show Gold Coast's commitment to young talent.

"Mitch is a great young player and deserves his chance," Palmer said in a statement.

"We want to promote our young players and give them opportunities.

"Mitch Cooper is the latest addition to a long list of players who have broken through to the senior side this season."

Another teenager, midfielder Jake Barker-Daish, is also set to make his A-League debut against the Heart.

Bottom side Gold Coast have relied on youth all season after deciding not to give players anything longer than one-year contracts going into this season.

Coach Miron Bleiberg said the role of Cooper, who will be 17 years and 152 days old on game-day, would be a purely symbolic one.

More experienced players, including defender Kristian Rees and striker Maceo Rigters, would be able to lend a hand.

"Giving him the armband symbolises some of the positives from this season in that young players have taken a step forward, and it's a nice gesture from Clive Palmer and the club to make him captain for the day," Bleiberg said.

"No one can deny that we are bringing good young players through here and whatever Mitch goes on to do in his career he will have a nice record and memory of his debut.

"Mitch is an intelligent guy on and off the field and of course, he will have a senior player like Kristian Rees nearby on the day, so there's no pressure on him."

As well as Thwaite's absence, experienced midfielder Jonas Salley will miss the match - believed to have signed a contract in China.

Salley was only on a short-term injury replacement deal at the Coast.

With the valuable three points, Sydney leapfrog Melbourne Victory to sit in seventh place on the ladder but equal on 27 points with the six-placed Melbourne Heart.

Fourth-placed Perth remain unchanged on the ladder.

Perth were on the attack from the start with Steven McGarry having a shot with just a minute on the clock but the hosts replied with Joel Chianese, in his starting debut in place of injured striker Mark Bridge (ankle), also attempting a strike moments later.

Sydney gloveman Ivan Necevski, in only his second start this season after Liam Reddy was axed following last week's 5-2 thumping at the hands of Newcastle, was tested by the Glory attack midway through the opening stanza.

Shane Smeltz fired a shot with Necevski forced into action again only seconds later by Travis Dodd.

The Glory came out in the second half looking to create chances and it didn't take long with Dodd attempting a strike only a minute after the whistle.

But it was the hosts who finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Slovakian import Karol Kisel cut the ball back to stand-in skipper Emerton, leading the side in place of suspended captain Terry McFlynn, who scored with a superb volley for his fourth goal of the season but first from open play.

The goal, delighting the 8508 Sydney faithful at the SFS, seemed to spark the Sky Blues into action with Nicky Carle and Chianese trying to double the Sky Blues' lead, both strikes forcing saves from Perth 'keeper Daniel Vukovic.

It was Sydney's top-scorer this season Cazarine who put the hosts 2-0 up in the 72nd minute getting on the end of an Emerton cross into the box to head home for his seventh goal.

The visitors pulled one back in the 86th minute, however, when Mehmet got on the end of a Dean Heffernan ball and, despite appearing offside, slotted home for 2-1.

Patience, usually a no-no for coaches on short-term deals like Magilton, has helped the Victory kick-start their finals tilt with a shock 2-1 win over A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Magilton persisted with what he inherited for his first five matches in charge, with four draws and a heavy loss the result.

But he unveiled a radically different team against the Mariners - perhaps having got a handle on his players, weeded out the coach-killers and found what he believes is the group capable of taking the club to the finals.

"We're certainly getting closer to where I want us to go," Magilton said after his new-look side turned on a quality performance against a Mariners side who were also excellent.

"I'm just trying to create an overload, an extra man wherever we can.

"We kept possession of the ball, we took pride in our passing and we were threatening.

"Slowly but surely - it's building blocks. I'm chuffed - but I'm not getting carried away with this and nor are the players.

"We're still very much a work in progress but training has been lively, there has been a good feeling, we talked about the positives we took from last week and the players built on that."

Magilton said when he took over at the Victory he had to quickly work out the players who needed an arm around the shoulder, or a kick up the backside.

One in each category were pivotal in the Victory's win.

New Zealander Marco Rojas, bereft of confidence in Mehmet Durakovic's dying days, was back to his best - clearly benefitting from Magilton backing him in.

And talented but work-shy midfielder Carlos Hernandez, dropped for the past two matches after a hopeless performance against Sydney FC, returned to his creative self having learned the Northern Irishman is quite prepared to bench stars.

Magilton also moved centre-half Mark Milligan into a holding midfield role to good effect.

But the question is have the Victory got enough time to make the finals? The need a swag of points in their remaining six games to get there.

"I hope I'm standing here in five or six games and we've won all of them, but there is no rest up, there is no let-up," Magilton said.

"We've got to go again and produce another performance like that at Brisbane (on Saturday).

"They are flying, but we've got, I hope, a belief flowing through the team and confidence flowing through at the moment."

The result extended Perth's unbeaten run to a club record eight games, but more importantly created a four-point gap between the fourth-placed Glory and fifth-placed Heart.

Ferguson is out of contract at season's end but is almost certain to be offered a new deal barring a remarkable collapse in form.

However, the Scotsman wants more than just a one-year extension in order to ensure the progress made this season won't be lost.

"If I get a new contract, I want a two to three year deal where we can try and take this club forward, where this club is going to be a top-six regular and not a yo-yo club," Ferguson said.

"(Club owner) Tony (Sage) knows my plans and knows my feelings.

"I'm not going to put pressure on anybody. Tony's been great.

"Ten or 11 weeks ago I was under a lot of pressure where a lot of people were calling for my head and he could have easily put me out the door, but he didn't.

"He stuck by me and it's great things have turned around."

Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg labelled Perth a genuine championship contender, saying they had the depth and talent to challenge high-flyers Central Coast and Brisbane.

"You get the calibre of Andrezinho, Billy Mehmet and Adam Hughes on the bench ... any of these players could walk into my team with red carpet," Bleiberg said.

"Even if you have one or two injuries, you have the depth.

"I'm not sure if the Roar or the Mariners have the same depth.

"And again Perth have the advantage of not going to play in Asia (for the Asian Champions League).

"It's tiring.

"What will happen in the finals when they (Roar and Mariners) will come travelling from Asia, from Uzbekistan, from China, and your guys will wait for them here hungry.

"With a bit of luck in the draw, Perth can go all the way."

The Glory have plundered 11 goals in their past three matches, and will be eager to continue that hot form when they take on an out-of-sorts Sydney at the SFS on Saturday night.

Gold Coast take on fellow battlers Adelaide United at Skilled Park on Sunday.

In contrast, Perth's eighth unbeaten game on the trot - a club record - lifted Glory back to within two points of second-placed Wellington and one point of third-placed Brisbane.

And perhaps even more importantly, the gap between fourth-placed Perth and fifth-placed Heart is now a comfortable four points, putting the Glory firmly in the box seat to secure a home final.

Such was the one-sided nature of the match, Perth could have easily put eight goals past a hapless Gold Coast in front of 7681 fans.

An unmarked McGarry capitalised on a glancing Steve Pantelidis header to score the opener in the 18th minute, but a second goal proved elusive for the remainder of the half as the home side spurned numerous opportunities.

Star striker Shane Smeltz, normally deadly in front of goal, was uncharacteristically wayward, clattering one attempt into the upright before fluffing two other chances with only the goalkeeper to beat.

In contrast to Perth's glut of chances, Gold Coast had to wait more than half an hour for their first real sight on goal, only for defender Ante Rozic to direct his free header well high of the target.

Perth were far more clinical in the second half, Miller doubling the lead in the 53rd minute after pouncing on a Dodd cross that Gold Coast failed to clear.

And Dodd made sure of the result in the 67th minute when he headed home Mile Sterjovski's pin-point corner.

Gold Coast's most clinical moment came in the 84th minute, when a diving Traore sent a bullet header into the back of the net.

Unfortunately for the defender it was his own net, giving the Glory their 11th goal from the past three matches.

Trailing 3-0 at halftime, Sydney mounted a fightback with second half goals to Hiro Moriyasu and Michael Beauchamp but they couldn't prevent a loss which dealt a significant blow to their finals aspirations.

Sydney players had spoken of their desire to send Lavicka out a winner after the club announced on Friday the Czech could would be departing at season's end by mutual consent.

But there was little evidence of that motivation as Sydney continued their trend of slow starts in front of 10,232 fans at the Sydney Football Stadium.

There were some encouraging moments in the early minutes for the home side but Newcastle quickly took the ascendancy.

Topor-Stanley opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, cleverly looping a header into the top corner after Liam Reddy had blocked Ryan Griffiths' shot.

Sydney were stunned again seven minutes later when Zadkovich doubled the lead with an exquisite finish.

The midfielder stormed onto Brockie's pass and hit an unstoppable first time shot on the half volley before taunting the home fans by pointing to the name on his jersey in front of The Cove.

Things went from bad to worse when Sydney lost Mark Bridge to injury and the Jets went 3-0 up in the 38th minute.

Pascal Bosschaart failed to deal with a dangerous Tarek Elrich cross and Brockie made no mistake with a close-range header.

Knowing they needed to strike early in the second half to salvage anything from the match, Sydney hit back two minutes after the break through a fine individual effort from Moriyasu.

The Sky Blues kept up the pressure and were denied calls of a penalty for handball before Karol Kisel and substitute Juho Makela squandered decent chances.

Beauchamp put them home side within striking distance in the 72nd minute, prodding home a Bruno Cazarine cross from close range for his first ever goal in Australian domestic football.

But any hopes of stealing a draw were killed off when Brockie netted his second in the 87th minute, tapping in after Reddy fumbled an Abbas shot.

The Iraqi international completed the rout with a goal of his own deep into injury time following some great build-up by Michael Bridges to ensure Sydney concede five goals at home for the first time.

Sergio Aguero set City on the road to three points with a first half penalty before Roberto Mancini's side eased into a 2-0 lead with a Chris Baird own goal. Edin Dzeko added a third on 72 minutes.

The win re-established City's lead in the title race, although second-placed Manchester United can draw level with a victory at Chelsea on Sunday.

City boss Roberto Mancini said: "It was a good performance. The players were fantastic.

"It was very important to win after the defeat at Everton in midweek. It was important for our future.

"There are some difficult moments during the season. This can happen. I hope now we can continue to win all our games."

In other games Saturday, Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick as Arsenal silenced their critics with a seven-goal humiliation of Blackburn.

Disgruntled Arsenal fans had reportedly been planning protests at the Emirates after Arsene Wenger's side had slid to three consecutive league defeats and a disappointing draw at Bolton in midweek.

But Wenger's side responded to the disquiet amongst their supporters with a ruthless demolition of Rovers which saw them move up to fifth in the table.

Van Persie took his tally for the season to 28 after striking in the 2nd, 38th and 62nd minutes, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (2) and Mikel Arteta getting the other goals before substitute Thierry Henry completed the scoring.

Morten Gamst Pedersen was the lone scorer for Blackburn, who also had Gael Givet sent off for a wild challenge on van Persie just before half time.

The defeat left Blackburn firmly rooted in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety in 19th place.

Norwich moved up to ninth place with a 2-0 win over struggling Bolton, second-half goals from Andrew Surman and Anthony Pilkington sealing the points for the Canaries at Carrow Road.

Queens Park Rangers striker Djibril Cisse followed up his debut goal for the club in midweek with a controversial red card as the Londoners slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Wolves at Loftus Road.

QPR launched a furious late onslaught but Wolves held firm to clinch their first win in 10 games and move out of the relegation zone.

Sunderland recorded their third consecutive league victory -- and their fifth in sixth games -- with a 1-0 win at 10-man Stoke.

Newly-promoted Swansea moved into the top half of the table with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns and Everton striker Victor Anichebe grabbed a late equaliser as the Toffees battled to a 1-1 draw at bottom club Wigan.

But Heart will feel aggrieved not to have taken all three points.

They dominated the first half and had the two best opportunities in the second as Victory were reduced to 10 men with Grant Brebner sent off with 15 minutes left.

Heart shredded their rivals for the first 45 minutes, coming closest when midfielder Jonatan Germano hit the crossbar with a close-range header after just 13 minutes.

The Victory looked devoid of ideas, and were given a clinic by first-game left-back Craig Goodwin as the 20-year-old ran riot going forward, and looked assured in defence.

The Victory looked better in the second half - especially a 15-minute patch before Brebner's send-off for a rash challenge on Heart striker Eli Babalj.

The Scotsman's red card swung momentum back the Heart's way.

Ex-Victory player Kristian Sarkies had the best opportunity of the match soon afterwards, put in on goal by a great David Williams run and square ball, only to blast his chance over the bar.

Then Victory goalkeeper Ante Covic produced a world-class save on 80 minutes to deny Goodwin a dream debut - the youngster's long-range thunderbolt forcing Covic to dive full length to his left to stop.

Heart also went close in the dying minutes with a long-range Michael Marrone shot.

Heart remain in the top six despite their inability to post a recent win, while the Victory creep to seventh place with their point.

The result also left the door slightly ajar for the Mariners to be run down in the race for the Premiers' Plate, with their lead cut to seven points ahead of second-placed Wellington.

Reigning premiers and champions Brisbane sit one point behind the Phoenix with seven games to play, though the Mariners have a game in hand on both of their nearest rivals.

Both sides were hit by Olyroos commitments with the Mariners missing in-form goalkeeper Mat Ryan, Mustafa Amini and Oliver Bozanic and Brisbane without midfielder Mitch Nichols.

Justin Pasfield started in goals for the home side but it was only five minutes before he was beaten, as Paartalu got the Roar off to an ideal start.

A Thomas Broich through ball found Nick Fitzgerald and the teenage midfielder's cut-back pass took a deflection off Alex Wilkinson, allowing Paartalu to finish with a precise side-footed shot.

The Roar came close to doubling their advantage twice in the 18th minute, with Mariners left back Josh Rose having to clear off the line and Broich sending a stunning, 25-metre drive into the right upright.

The Mariners pushed hard for an equaliser, with Troy Hearfield threatening on goal twice, while the Roar looked unlucky not to have drawn a foul when Berisha was brought down by Patrick Zwaanswijk on the edge of the box.

The Albanian striker earned the ire of the 10,217 home fans for staying down long after the incident but he had the last laugh when he doubled the Roar's lead in the 38th minute.

After some handy lead-up work from Broich and Massimo Murdocca, Berisha beat off Rose before getting away a fairly timid shot that Pasfield failed to stop.

Following a dramatic few weeks in which he was suspended following his involvement in a post-match melee with Sydney FC, Berisha celebrated by running to the sidelines for a warm embrace with coach Ange Postecoglou.

A much-improved Roar remained in control throughout the second half, with the Mariners unable to mount a comeback for the second straight match.

Their best chance fell to captain Wilkinson in the 64th minute, but he put a close range header across the face of goal.

Berisha should have added a third for the Roar on the stroke of fulltime, firing over an open goal from close range.

Vidosic brushed Kosmina aside when the coach offered a handshake on the sidelines, the Socceroo clearly unhappy at being substituted for a second match in a row.

Kosmina said Vidosic, who is Adelaide's dead ball specialist, twice ignored team plans against the Phoenix.

"I thought he was great in the first half. He dropped off the pace a bit in the second," Kosmina said.

"And the substitution came because we worked on some set pieces, set pieces that actually work, and he chose the wrong option twice."

Acknowledging Vidosic was unhappy to be replaced, Kosmina said: "I wasn't happy that he didn't hook the right set piece either - especially when the people concerned had talked to him about it and he just went the complete opposite way," he said.

"But it's not about whether Dario is happy or not.

"It's about what I think is best for the team ... I was unhappy about the set pieces."

Kosmina said Vidosic was subbed in last week's loss to Perth Glory for a fall in work rate.

"We talked about why he got subbed last week - he started dropping off and not winning stuff in midfield or being available in midfield, so we tried to look at a different option," Kosmina said.

Kisel, in his second stint with the club, will also return to Europe after the season either to retire or play on overseas.

The Slovakian midfielder was brought to Sydney in Lavicka's first season at the helm in 2009/10 and played a key role in the club's premiership-championship double.

And Kisel said motivation was high among the players as sixth-placed Sydney look to improve their finals chances in Sunday's crunch clash with seventh-placed Newcastle at the Sydney Football Stadium.

"Full credit to him (Lavicka) for what he's done for the club," Kisel said.

"He's a great coach and, more importantly, a great person.

"I think it's good he told us now and we will do our best now to make him even more famous and maybe to leave with the title in our hands.

"That's the target and I will leave as well after the season ... if we are able to reach grand final it would be really great for us."

Kisel said Sydney should expect nothing less than three points against the Jets, who are sure to be confident following their upset 1-0 win away to Brisbane Roar last week.

Sydney will almost certainly be without Socceroos star Brett Emerton, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring strain in last week's 2-2 draw against Melbourne Victory.

The Sky Blues could potentially open up a handy gap on the Jets and Victory with a win on Sunday but Kisel said Sydney should be aiming high with three of their next four games played at home.

"I think we've still got a great chance for a top-four spot," Kisel said.

"We've got Newcastle, Perth and Wellington at home and, if we can pick up enough points, that will be great for us.

"We will go for the win (on Sunday). We can get (much) better and it's the first step for us."

Sydney are likely to stick with Nick Carle in an attacking midfield role, with Mark Bridge and Bruno Cazarine partnered up front.

The decision was reached at a meeting between Lavicka and Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton earlier this week.

That was part of the timetable for Sydney FC and Lavicka to determine the best way forward for all parties with the Czech Republic coach’s contract due to expire at the end of this season.

At the meeting both Sydney FC and Lavicka agreed now was the right time to change direction.

“The Sydney FC Board has decided not to renew the contract of Vitezslav Lavicka beyond the ... season,” said Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton.

“At the same time, Vitezslav decided he wants to return home to be with his family and continue his career in Europe.”

Lavicka joined Sydney FC at the beginning of the 2009/10 season, securing the Premiership and claiming a Grand Final victory in his first season in charge of the Sky Blues.

“I have enjoyed my time at Sydney FC and I want to continue to do my best and work hard with the players and staff at Sydney FC to be as successful as possible this season,” Lavicka said.

“But for next year I am living too far away from my family and they are very important.

“Since I came to Sydney I have been lucky to meet many good people, work with professional people - staff and players – and we managed to achieve great success in the first year. I will always have good memories of my time in Sydney, especially the Sydney FC Members and fans.”

As a gesture to honour the contribution Lavicka has made to Sydney FC, both through the 2009/10 Premiership - Championship double and by the way he has carried himself, the annual Sydney FC Clubman of the Year Award will be named in his honour

“Vitezslav as a man is beyond reproach,” Melton said. “He is driven by values that make him a tremendous role model. He has incredible integrity, humility and honour and his warm smile, welcoming handshake and positive outlook have set a standard for everyone at the club.”

“History will look favourably on his contribution to the Football Club as the man who delivered our first double but it is also fitting that he should become part of Sydney FC history and heritage through the Clubman of the Year Award.

“We would like to wish Vitezslav and his family the best of luck for the future.”