After confirming their place at the summer’s European Championships with a 4-0 defeat of Luxembourg on Friday night, Santi Cazorla has insisted Spain’s players are behind manager Vicente Del Bosque.

The manager has won the World Cup (2010) and the Euros (2012) since assuming the role in 2008 but faced heavy criticism after a disappointing World Cup defence, which saw the Spanish side knocked out in the group stage in Brazil.

The former Real Madrid coach’s contract is up after next summer’s tournament in France, but Cazorla has said the players are behind him.

“All of us are very happy with Del Bosque and he has the full confidence of the whole group,” the midfielder told journalists on Saturday as Spain prepare for their final qualifying group game against Ukraine.

Slovakia are also in the group, and won all of their opening six games before losing to Spain in September. Naturally, the current European Champions went into the group stage as strong favourites but winning eight of nine games – a loss in Slovakia the only blemish on their record – is no mean feat.

Despite a number of poor performances, Cazorla wants the qualification to be appreciated.

“You have to give credit for what we’ve achieved,” he said. “It’s been a long and difficult road, during which any team is capable of beating you.”

After Friday’s win, in which Cazorla scored twice, Spain are guaranteed to be seeded for the group stage draw for the tournament in France next summer.