Gunter hoping for Coleman stay

Wales defender Chris Gunter insists manager Chris Coleman needs to stay as manager of the team after the upcoming European Championships.

The former Fulham boss is currently in talks with the Welsh FA about a new contract with his current deal set to expire this summer.

Coleman has admitted that the two parties are ‘apart’ after initial discussions and reports have claimed he could move on after Euro 2016 this summer.

Despite the recent speculation and doubt over his future, Gunter is adamant that they need to retain his services.

Gunter said: “I’m sure if you asked every player they would love the manager to stay.

“I’m sure the FA are doing everything they can to make sure he stays because it would be crazy if we lost our manager after what’s happened over the last two years.

“His record and what he’s done stands alone of what we’ve achieved. He’s been a bigger part of that than probably any single player.”

Wales, who are priced at 1.50 to qualify from Group B, were held to a 1-1 draw by Northern Ireland on Thursday but Coleman’s attention will now be on Monday’s clash with Ukraine in Kiev.

Although they will be without Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale, Gunter believes the Ukraine clash will be the perfect test ahead of this summer’s tournament.

“Sometimes these games are a little bit edgy and the tempo and intensity of a game somewhere like Ukraine will be good for us,” he added.

“A few boys in the squad will not have experienced it before and it will be good for them, not only in the summer but going forward beyond.”