Cymru MU19 travel to Pinatar, Spain this week for two friendly fixtures and new head coach Chris Gunter has explained how he will approach the role as well as his plans for supporting the next generation.
“I’m really proud to be given the opportunity and really excited now to get going in a different role,” said Gunter following his appointment. “For me personally, it’s a really a good opportunity to learn and improve and the most important bit is to try and give my support and experience to the younger players coming through. I’m really excited to get stuck in and to meet the players, for me to learn about them, but also for them to get to know me and to see how we want to do things leading towards the qualifiers in November.”
Gunter, 35, made 109 senior international appearances for Cymru between 2007 and 2022, and went to the finals of three major tournaments during that time. At EURO 2016, Gunter played every minute of every match as Cymru reached the semi-finals, ensuring his cult-hero status with the Red Wall. The defender also came through the intermediate pathway, representing his country at U17, U19 and U21 level before making his senior debut, and Gunter believes this experience will be a key factor in his new role.
“Having the experience of going through that, it’s something that I’m really keen to pass down and looking back on my journey I think can help,” he explained. “I’m nowhere near where I would want to be in terms of the coaching side of it, but I know that’s a process I have to go through and I want to and try and be the best I can. I’m so proud and honoured that now I’ve got this opportunity to take everything I have learned in the short space of time and bring that to the younger players.
“I think one of the things that is really important to me is offering the players support in between the camps,” Gunter added. “So that’s going to watch them, going into their clubs and visiting them and trying to build relationships. I think being a footballer at any age is tough, but definitely at the age some of the boys that we have in the younger age groups are. I want to be that support and guidance and make sure I’m available for them. I’m giving myself and them the best opportunity for when we we do meet up.”
Currently completing his UEFA Pro Licence through the FAW Coach Education programme, Gunter recently worked alongside former Cymru manager Rob Page with the senior squad. “I think it’s probably a good time to mention Pagey in terms of the opportunity that he gave me,” he explained. “That 16 months has been invaluable really in terms of learning from him. I really appreciate what he did for me and all the staff that I worked with alongside. All the things that I’ve learned I want to bring into this role.”
Gunter will get his first taste of action as MU19 head coach on Saturday 7 September when his side take on Turkmenistan before facing Azerbaijan on Monday 9 September. Both games take place in Pinatar and kick-off at 11am, and will play an important part in preparing for the UEFA qualifiers that take place in November when Cymru head to Scotland to take on France, Liechtenstein and the hosts in Group 5.
