Chris Gunter to join Wales coaching staff under Robert Page and set to miss two crunch AFC Wimbledon clashes
CHRIS GUNTER is set to join Robert Page’s Wales coaching staff.
The AFC Wimbledon full-back, who won 109 senior caps, has held talks with boss Page following his retirement from international football earlier this month.
Gunter, 33, who was the first male player to reach a century of Wales appearances, has completed both his Uefa A and B coaching badges.
He is expected to do his Pro-Licence with the Football Association of Wales in the near future.
Gunter, who is still playing in League Two, is due to be with the Welsh camp in this international window where Page’s men face Croatia in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday and then Latvia a week on Tuesday.
As a result, SunSport understands Gunter will miss Wimbledon’s matches with Barrow and Walsall.
It will be a boost for new Wales captain Aaron Ramsey, who is close pals with Gunter with the pair representing their country at two Euro finals as well as Qatar in November.
Gunter’s impending arrival is one of several new faces to join Page’s coaching staff since the World Cup.
Manchester United first-team coach Eric Ramsay has replaced Kit Symons while West Ham fitness coach Nick Davies is Wales’ new head of performance to succeed Tony Strudwick.
Gunter is a cult hero among Wales fans for his dedication to playing for his country.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
At Euro 2016, following a last-gasp group stage loss to arch rivals England, Gunter made the iconic gesture of telling the ‘Red Wall’ to keep their heads up.
Gunter and Wales, under Chris Coleman, went on to reach the semi-finals of the tournament in France, losing to eventual winners Portugal.