Vicente del Bosque... poor tournament in Brazil this summer.

Pepe Reina has expressed his delight at the announcement that Vicente del Bosque is to continue as Spain coach.

Del Bosque confirmed on Thursday that he had been given the green light by the Spanish Football Federation to lead the national team into the 2016 European Championships in France, despite the team’s shock early exit from the World Cup.

Liverpool goalkeeper Reina – a member of Del Bosque’s squad in Brazil as well as the victorious campaigns at the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Champion-ships – gave his backing to the coach, whose fine reputation has taken a battering since Spain were sent packing from the World Cup following heavy defeats to Holland and Chile.

“It’s phenomenal news. I’ve always said that Del Bosque was the right man for the job at this moment, so I’m delighted,” Reina, 31, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“We all have to start working together from September so we have a good team for the European Championship.”

Spain’s golden spell where they won the 2010 World Cup and European titles in 2008 and 2012 came to an abrupt end in Brazil in the group stages after they lost their first two games against Netherlands and Chile.

“We can do a lot better and get back on the right lines. We will try to defend the title at the next European Championships,” Del Bosque told reporters.

“A drastic revolution is not necessary, instead we must continue on the same path with some minor changes.”

The 63-year-old took over following Spain’s triumph at Euro 2008 and his current contract runs until 2016.

Reina, meanwhile, is set to report for pre-season training with Liverpool in the coming days, returning to Brendan Rodgers’s side after spending a year on loan in Serie A with Napoli.

The Spaniard was unable to shed any light on whether he will be battling Simon Mignolet for the number one jersey at Anfield next season, but said he was pleased to be returning to Merseyside.

“I still have two years on my contract with Liverpool, I was there for eight years, I love the city and the people there have treated me very well,” said Reina.

“Last year I ended up at Napoli, it went very well for me there and I grew as a player but now I’m going back to Liverpool and raring to go.”