WALES centurion Chris Gunter will guide the next generation in a pair of friendlies in Spain in the coming days, and he intends to help them keep building on their return home.

The 35-year-old from Newport has been appointed as head coach of the national under-19s squad and will be calling the shots for the first time on Saturday.

Wales take on Turkmenistan in Pinatar this weekend and then lock horns with Azerbaijan on Monday, with both games kicking off at 11am.

The friendlies are important preparation for November’s UEFA qualifiers when they head to Scotland to take on France, Liechtenstein and the hosts in Group Five.

Gunter has taken the reins at the start of his coaching career after recently working with the senior squad under previous boss Robert Page.

The former defender retired in May, 2023 after a career that featured 109 caps won between 2007 and 2022, with Gunter playing every minute of every match on Wales’ journey to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

He played for his country at under-17, 19 and 21 level while coming through at Cardiff City and going on to play for Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Charlton and AFC Wimbledon.

“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 said.

“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.

“One of the things that is really important to me is offering the players support in between the camps, so that’s going to watch them, going into their clubs and visiting them and trying to build relationships.

“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 do meet up.”

Gunter is currently completing his UEFA Pro Licence through the FAW Coach Education programme “I’m really proud to be given the opportunity and really excited now to get going in a different role,” he said.

“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.”