 Warren Gatland replaced Gareth Jenkins as Wales coach in 2007
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Roger Lewis hopes Wales coach Warren Gatland signs a contract extension beyond the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The 2008 Grand Slam winning boss is in negotiations with the Welsh Rugby Union to extend his current four-year deal for another two years.
Gatland admits he has a "few options" and is apparently a possible successor to All Black coach Graham Henry and Waikato Chiefs boss Ian Foster.
"Everyone knows my support for Warren," said WRU chief executive Roger Lewis.
The New Zealander replaced Gareth Jenkins following Wales' disappointing 2007 Rugby World Cup and instantly inspired Wales to Grand Slam glory in his first Championship.
Gatland, who inspired London Wasps to a Heineken Cup triumph in 2004 and three successive English Premiership titles, is now in the "crucial stages" of talks with the WRU over extending his lucrative deal.
Should Gatland sign an extension and complete a six-year term as Wales coach, the 46-year-old will emulate Clive Rowlands' reign between 1968 and 1974 and become the Welsh national team's joint longest-serving coach since Wales' first coach, David Nash, was appointed in 1967.
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606: DEBATE
Dave Morgan
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Gatland is apparently among the favourites to succeed Henry when he steps down as coach of his native New Zealand, arguably world rugby's most prestigious coaching role, after the 2011 World Cup.
Henry's current assistant Steve Hansen, another Kiwi and former Wales coach, is said to be the front-runner to be the next All Black boss.
And the Kiwi has also been linked with a return to his home-town of Hamilton as a successor to Ian Foster when the Chiefs boss vacates his role ahead of the 2012 Super 15 season.
One thing is for sure, though, that Gatland is in discussion to extend his Wales deal which started during their summer tour in New Zealand.
"The certainty is that Warren is with us through to the World Cup," said WRU Group chief executive Lewis.
"And now leading up the World Cup we will need to be considering what after the World Cup and everyone knows my support for Warren and what he has achieved.
"We have to have detailed what next within the rugby planning.
"We already have a number of things in place as we have a five-year agreement with our regions with the option for another five years and we are putting in place a national academy.
 WRU chief Roger Lewis and coach Warren Gatland are in talks
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"And now we need to look very carefully what we do beyond 2011 and those conversations have already started and we're looking at the what ifs and the options around it.
"I want a winning coach and I believe what Warren has delivered so far is outstanding for Wales so that gives you a glimpse of my support for Warren.
"But there are other things to bear in mind with an international coach such as Warren is what else is on his agenda for his career and also his life in general.
"He has two teenage children and we need to be mindful of that. It is not just a question of what we want but also what he wants and also how it fits in with his career and life as well.
"I think Warren has been outstanding for Wales and must get what is right for Wales but Warren as well. But the coming months will be important for what we do after the World Cup."
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