Senior Welsh players including Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has called on manager Chris Coleman to stay beyond his contract next summer despite the team’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia

Their World Cup hopes were ended on Monday night after a 1-0 defeat by the Republic of Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Coleman, 47, had previously revealed that this World Cup qualifying campaign would be the last one for him before stating that he was “not thinking about” his future when asked after the loss to their home nations rival.

The former Fulham manager has been in charge since 2012 and he led the country to their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup during last summer’s European Championship. He led  the team to a semifinal place before losing to eventual winners Portugal.

Speaking on the future of their manager, defender Chris Gunter said:

“Everyone in Wales, fans and players, would want to see him stay on, 100%.

“He’s been a massive part of what we’ve done and he is the man to hopefully take us forward.

“If the powers that be can give him a really good contract and make him stay, he can carry on being the greatest Welsh manager of all time.” he concluded.