Russia coach Guus Hiddink admitted he was surprised by England's inability to secure qualification for Euro 2008 - but would not be drawn on the future of manager Steve McClaren.
Russia beat Andorra 1-0 and progressed to the finals as England suffered a shock 3-2 reverse at the hands of group winners Croatia at Wembley.
Former Holland coach Hiddink said: "I am very surprised England didn't get at least get a draw, although Croatia are a good team.
"We had two draws against Croatia, they are a very experienced team with very experienced players, but nevertheless, I am very surprised they won.
"I have not seen the game, but it seems like conceding three goals at Wembley is a lot."
McClaren's position is now in doubt with the FA calling an emergency board meeting.
"I don't know what the consequences will be (for McClaren)," Hiddink, a former candidate for the England post, added.
"If people are happy, there is a good friendship and a good vision, with either a club or a federation, and there is a plan, you can stick to that plan and that is good.
"It is like that with Russia, because we are trying to improve the infrastructure. If they are happy, I think it is wise to continue, but I don't know what the FA are thinking."
However, the Dutch coach, who criticised McClaren's "schoolboy tactics" following Russia's win over England last month, admitted his counterpart may pay the price for his errors.
"If you have a plan and the coach makes obvious repetitive mistakes, it's different," he said.
Hiddink said he was aware of the score in London during most of his side's match against Andorra, but revealed he did not know that England had levelled at 2-2 in the second half.
"We had someone with a mobile who was being updated with the score. It wasn't me or my assistants, but we were aware of the score," he said.
"I knew it was 2-1, but they didn't tell me it was 2-2. At 2-1, I said 'I don't want you to show me'. I was concentrating on the game, but the players knew."
Russia were expected to brush aside Andorra with ease, but made hard work of the game against a side 157 places below them in FIFA's world rankings.
Dmitri Sychev scored the all-important goal with a header six minutes before the break.
The Russians then missed a string of chances - including having a first-half penalty saved by Andorra goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez - as the game wore on.
Nevertheless, the narrow win was enough to see Russia edge out England and finish second in Group E, five points behind top-of the-table Croatia.
Andorra, meanwhile, finished bottom after losing all 12 of their qualifying games.
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