Chris Gunter keen for Chris Coleman to remain as Wales manager
Saturday 26 March 2016 23:51, UK
Chris Gunter thinks it would be 'crazy' for Wales to lose their manager Chris Coleman after this summer's European Championships.
The 45-year-old's current deal expires after the tournament and he is currently in talks with the Football Association of Wales over a new contract.
As yet, the two parties have yet to reach an agreement and Coleman has admitted they are 'apart' after initial discussions over the matter.
Wales will continue their build up to their first finals appearance in 58 years with a friendly against Ukraine in Kiev on Monday night.
Coleman will then resume his negotiations with the FAW and Gunter hopes they can reach a positive conclusion soon.
The Reading defender, 26, 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.
"I've seen the quotes where he said it won't affect the summer. He's right because all focus will be on the tournament but hopefully he is the man to lead us to the World Cup after that.
"What he's done and the respect he has from every single player is unique. I've never seen a group of players where every single one respects the manager as we do."
Wales had to come from behind to get a 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland in Cardiff through Simon Church's last-minute penalty on Thursday.
They head to Kiev without Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey but Gunter thinks the match will be helpful preparation for this summer's game with Russia in France.
He added: "Sometimes these games are a little bit edgy and the tempo and intensity of a game somewhere like Ukraine will be good for us.
"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.
"These are the games that can help and our spirit started from certain games when we were in sticky situations with our backs to the wall."
