The wait is over for Wrexham's legendary Racecourse Ground – Chris Gunter is back! Nineteen years on from his senior Wales debut at just 17, the experienced campaigner returns to north Wales with a new mission: guiding the Under-19s through the UEFA Men's Under-19 Championship finals. As head coach, Gunter takes the reins for the tournament kicking off this Sunday – and what an honour it is for him to bring his wealth of knowledge back to the very place where it all started.
With a record 109 caps to his name as an outfield player, Gunter's coaching journey began with the Football Association of Wales after hanging up his playing boots at the end of the 2022-23 season. He initially served as national team development coach before taking charge of the Under-19s in 2024 – a role he resumed following Craig Knight's departure to Wrexham.
The current squad looks up to Gunter with immense respect, not just because of his playing record but also due to his integral part in Wales' unforgettable Euro 2016 semi-final campaign. Stan Dancey, 19 and Crewe Alexandra defender, praised Gunter as "a manager who's been there, done everything" while Brighton's Adam Brett echoed this sentiment: "He's a really good role model... I'm sure he can help us, tutor us because he's been in the Welsh set-up for so long."
The 2016 tournament was etched in memories of many young players – including Jac Thomas from Cardiff City, who was nine years old during that magical summer. "We'd watch the games at school, then recreate the action in the playground," Thomas reminisced, highlighting iconic moments like Gareth Bale's free-kick and Sam Vokes' header against Belgium.
As Gunter's squad prepares to face top-class opposition – including nine-time champions Spain on Sunday at 18:00 BST – they're acutely aware of the challenge ahead. Group A features Germany and Denmark, while Group B boasts Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and Ukraine. Brett acknowledged the tough competition but added, "We believe in our abilities as well."