Chris Gunter leaves Wales under-18 role for Oxford job
Chris Gunter has stepped down as Cymru under-18 head coach because of the demands of his full-time role at Oxford United, where he is assistant coach to Aaron Ramsey.
Cymru under-18s
- Squad
- 20 players
- Finland matches
- 2
- Taylor senior caps
- 43
- Qualifiers begin
- March 2028
The Football Association of Wales said Neil Taylor will take charge for the team's two matches against Finland in October. A 20-player squad has been selected for the trip to Eerikkilä.
Taylor takes the next window
Taylor previously worked as an assistant with Cymru under-21s and was most recently head coach of Gulf United in the United Arab Emirates. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence.
The former Wales defender won 43 senior caps and played every minute of the team's run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals. The FAW has described his appointment as being for the upcoming international window rather than announcing him as Gunter's permanent successor.
Two games in Finland
Cymru play Finland at 11am BST on Saturday 3 October and again at 10am BST on Monday 5 October. Both matches are at Eerikkilä Sport and Outdoor Resort.
The double header forms part of the squad's preparation for the 2028 UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifiers, which begin in March. Cardiff City supply six players in the 20-player group, while Alfie Jones of Swansea City and Jack Jones of Wrexham are also included.
Gunter said it had been a difficult decision to leave after working in the Cymru coaching setup since 2023. FAW chief football officer David Adams thanked him for his work across the player pathway.