Chris Gunter feels it would be “crazy” for Wales to lose manager Chris Coleman after this summer’s European Championships.

Coleman’s current deal expires after Euro 2016 and the 45-year-old has opened talks on a new deal.

But the former Fulham and Real Sociedad boss said he was “apart” from the FA of Wales after those initial discussions.

Talks will resume following Wales’s friendly against Ukraine in Kiev today, and Gunter said it was imperative that a new deal was agreed for Coleman to lead Wales into the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“I’m sure if you asked every player they would love the manager to stay,” the Wales defender said.

“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 never seen a group of players where every single one respects the manager as we do.”

Wales head to Kiev on the back of Thursday’s 1-1 home draw with Ireland when Coleman’s depleted side were only spared defeat by Simon Church’s last-minute penalty.

The absence of Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey loomed large, but Gunter revealed the pair had been in touch since Wales’s final home game before Euro 2016.

“They’ve been texting and if there was any way they would have shown their face I’m sure they would have,” said Gunter.

“When they’ve not been here in the past they’ve always come down.

“Gaz has had a little one, so it’s not the best time for him to come. But they don’t miss any games if they have to.”

Playing at Kiev’s 70,000-capacity Olympic Stadium represents a daunting challenge for Wales.

But the experienced Gunter believes the fixture, designed to replicate the Euro 2016 challenge coming their way from Russia, will put Wales’s youngsters in good stead beyond this summer’s tournament.

“Sometimes these games are a little bit edgy and the tempo and intensity of a game somewhere like Ukraine will be good for us,” said Gunter.

“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.”

Today's friendly matches
Andorra vs Moldova - 17.00
Liechtenstein vs F. Islands - 19.00
Ukraine vs Wales - 20.00
N. Ireland vs Slovenia - 20.45