After 12 remarkable years of success in the role, Gatland will move on after Friday night’s World Cup bronze medal match with the country of his birth, New Zealand.
Since his first tournament in charge at the 2008 Six Nations, Gatland has won three Grand Slams and led Wales to two World Cup semi-finals.
He now has a chance to finish third at the tournament in Japan and record a first Welsh win over the All Blacks since 1953. New Zealand are the only side Gatland hasn’t beaten with Wales.
“I’ve said it before, Warren is an incredible man not just due to his rugby intelligence and knowledge, but he’s an unbelievable person too,” said Wales skills coach Jenkins, who has worked with Gatland every step of the way over the last decade and more.
“I’d like to think he’s left a fantastic legacy through the results and successes he’s had since 2008. There has been the development of a lot of good players coming through and there are a lot of youngsters in the squad at this moment in time.
“Yes there are players who could be at their last World Cup, but there are a lot of players who will be at the next one and hopefully the one after that too.
“Warren’s knowledge and what he’s done for our game is immense. A thank you is not enough as far as I’m concerned. For me he is a god of the game.
“I’ve been very, very lucky to be involved with him since he started in 2008.”
Patchell and Amos start at fly-half and full-back respectively against New Zealand in a Wales side which features nine changes from the 19-16 semi-final defeat by South Africa.
Patchell said: “The biggest thing you find with Warren is he has an uncanny ability to work out what people need. Whether somebody needs an arm around the shoulder, needs their tyres pumped up, or if someone needs a bit of a rocket for the weekend.
“He’s been great for me over the past couple of years when I’ve been a bit more involved with the national squad. Hopefully he carries on with the success he’s had here wherever he goes. He certainly deserves that.”
Amos added: “I think Warren has an amazing ability to instil confidence in the group. You see it seep down into the players.
“The senior boys have taken that on and it’s throughout the squad now. He’s very good at building that up throughout the week and at getting us emotionally right for games. When we are, we’re very hard to beat.
“He’s been fantastic for Welsh rugby. The success over the last decade has been almost unprecedented.”
