England panicked, claims Hiddink

But he insists the Football Association should not do the same and "hang" Steve McClaren on the basis of just one result.

And Dutchman Hiddink, who is again being touted as the successor to McClaren at the England helm, virtually ruled himself out of the job by revealing he has agreed "in principle" to stay on with Russia after next year's Euro 2008 finals.

He told BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek programme: "I don't know if you should hang the coach because of one result. England is a big nation in world football, a leading nation. I don't want to judge from the outside.

"They had good results recently in the five previous games and then had a bad game against us but let the people who are in charge judge that and let the press judge.

"Everyone is having a difficult time. I talked with Sir Bobby Robson a year ago about the burden of the job."

Interviewed on the programme by the former FA Head of Communications, David Davies, Hiddink was asked whether he was now committed to the Russian FA until the next World Cup in South Africa.

He said: "I have spoken to them and we have decided that, on the condition of some more talks about technical issues, we go on.

"I've said I am very happy working with Russia but we still in January have to fill in some details which are important about the technical side but, in principal, yes we go on."

He added: "Russia is a team still in development. We have reduced the average age of the players from 28 to 23 over a year.

"I can still be critical because we were very sloppy in the situation against England when (Steven) Gerrard had a chance to score and, of course, (Wayne) Rooney's goal was a tremendous blow.

"But that's football. It is very close and at half time we were still confident because we had already shown in the first half that when you put England under a lot of pressure they drop back, a bit like a handball team to their own area.

"We noticed they were panicking and could not get over the ball, could not control, and you felt that at any moment the game could change.

"I was very happy to see how England set up their defence with (Joleon) Lescott on the left of three central defenders because we had two mobile strikers and forced Joe Cole to play left full back so we could often get two against one on that side.

"I think most of the time you have to look at your own team and see where you can improve in certain situations. It was a must-win game for us and we also had to take some risks. That's why we brought on some more attackers in the second half."

Hiddink admitted that the foul by Rooney which produced Russia's equalising penalty occurred "a few centimetres" outside the area but insisted: "Let's be honest we scored a very legal goal which would have made it 1-1 at Wembley but it was not allowed. I think the balance is even."

And on the controversial plastic pitch he explained: "Our other pitch was just a mud pitch and we could not play on it but, of course, I am in favour of natural grass as well."

Hiddink refused to take it for granted that Russia are virtually through to the finals. He said: "We still have to win in Israel and if you look at their results they have the ability to surprise.

"So we are not specific favourites but having put England down in Moscow we are very determined to take this second step."