Gareth Southgate admitted he could understand the fans’ boos after England were relegated as the Nations League turned into humiliation.
The 4,000 travelling England supporters turned on Southgate when he went over to them at the final whistle as they suffered a third defeat in five games and have gone seven and a half hours without a goal from open play.
England boss Southgate said: “I understand the reaction at the end because that's the results we've had in this competition. It's an understandable emotional reaction.
“There’s going to be a lot of noise but that will be around me and that’s absolutely fine. It’s my job to take that pressure for them.
“I personally thought the performance was a step in the right direction but I perfectly understand that because of the result that's not going to be the reaction.”
England now have less than two months until their World Cup campaign but Southgate insisted the players and the nation must not lose faith.
Southgate’s men now face a dead rubber against Germany on Monday and a potentially tougher Euros qualifying Group after being relegated from their Nations League Group.
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Southgate said: “We’ve got to keeping working on it and make sure we stay on track. They'll be a huge amount of noise of course but that's created from the summer, really and I totally understand that.
“The players in the dressing room know this was a game they well could have won. And if they take their chances and defend the goal better, then we do win. It's fine margins. We're playing some of the biggest football nations and the fine margins are decisive.”
England midfielder Declan Rice also defended the performance and insisted they will rediscover their form in front of goal before the World Cup.
Rice said: “I see it in training that there are goals for fun. Trust me we are gonna be good.
“Every tournament we set out we want to win the group, to progress and win every game. In the Nations league we have slipped our standards. I did not think it was all bad tonight. One chance for them and one goal.”
Italy boss Roberto Mancini said: “You are in the World Cup and that is the most important. my opinion is that England is one of the best team in the world even if they lose the game.
“They can have a good chance in the World Cup.”
