Stuart Pearce insisted England will learn from their 3-2 defeat against a strong Holland team at Wembley.
The interim England boss, however, confirmed that he was not the man to take charge on a full-time basis.
Arjen Robben scored the winner for Holland in injury time after goals from Gary Cahill and Ashley Young had looked like earning England an unlikely draw after they conceded two goals in two second-half minutes from Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
Pearce said: “It’s disappointing for us but the exercise was to learn from it. They were up against an outstanding side who had probably their full team out for the start of the game.
“The Robbens and the [Robin] Van Persies of this world are outstanding footballers and the exercise of it will stand our young players in good stead.”
Holland fielded a starting line-up which included nine players who took part in the World Cup final in South Africa.
Pearce said: “All we needed was a touch more belief that we could go and hurt an opposition of this ability a touch more. I think it is the missing ingredient that we need to find.
“We had a few skirmishes around their goal. I would have liked to have seen that on a more regular basis possibly.”
Pearce confirmed, however, that he would not take the England job full time although he would be prepared to take charge for Euro 2012.
“I’m used to being around squads,” said Pearce. “The attitude of the players to me has been first class, focused and they have had a go in the game for me.
“I can’t ask for any more.
“You can never guarantee any results and if we had come away from here 2-2 there might have been a better feel but it won’t affect my mentality in any way.
“I feel I would be confident in taking the squad to the Euros because of the experience I have got as an international player and manager.
“That wouldn’t be daunting to me. I don’t think after that period I have the experience for this job.
“I really enjoyed this week. I would enjoy the summer if that opportunity was there. All I’m doing is buying the Football Association some time if they’ve not got someone in place.
“The full-time manager of England is somebody else at this moment in time. It certainly isn’t me.”
Scott Parker revealed Steven Gerrard was the first to congratulate him after his surprise selection as England captain for the defeat by Holland.
Liverpool skipper Gerrard was the favourite to succeed John Terry for last night's friendly but was overlooked by Pearce in favour of Tottenham midfielder Parker.
And there were no hard feelings according to the latter, who said after the matchs: "Steve was fine. He was the ultra-professional he is.
"He was the first person to come up to me and congratulate me and said he'd support me. That was pleasing.
"You wouldn't expect anything else from such a great player."
Should the Football Association appoint a permanent successor to Fabio Capello before this summer's European Championship, the new man must decide who he wants to be England captain in Poland and Ukraine.
Asked if he would like to keep the armband, Parker said: "Of course I would.
"I also understand there's a many a player - no-one more than Steven Gerrard and a couple of others - who've obviously been there before and done it.
"It's going to be difficult for me but I would obviously relish the chance to lead the country out again and take it into the Euros.
"Whether that's me or it's not me, I know I'll be fully behind whoever it may be, determined to make England succeed."
Parker said the feeling of captaining England was second only to that he experienced when his children were born.
England defender Chris Smalling was taken to hospital, along with Dutchman Huntelaar, after they clashed heads as Huntelaar scored Holland's second goal.
Gerrard was substituted in the first half as a precaution after feeling a tight hamstring while Arsenal's van Persie played the first half only.
Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge also limped off with an injured toe.
Meanwhile Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell, who made his debut as a 79th-minute substitute, had an extra reason for celebration.
He tweeted: "Delighted to earn my first international cap and the very same moment I became a dad to Isla rose campbell! #cloud9"
