Roy Hodgson has told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek he was "scarred" by the way in which his reign as England manager ended.
Hodgson left his job following the humiliating Euro 2016 exit at the hands of unfancied Iceland, but said he would not let the experience haunt him as he looks to make a return to football management.
"I don't know whether you ever get over things that cause you pain," the 69-year-old said. "Perhaps you shouldn't relate this to deaths in families because it's a football match.
"But when something matters a lot to you then unfortunately, where grieving is involved, do you ever really get over it? I don't know. I think there's always going to be that scar.''
He stressed that he did not feel matches should "haunt you" and said he believed the England players would go on to succeed despite their humiliation in France.
"It's a very good football team, this England team, and I think they will do very well in the future," he added.
"There is only a certain amount of grieving you can do, and I certainly did that. I don't intend to grieve any longer and I certainly don't intend to let it haunt me.''
Former Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom manager Hodgson said he still wanted "to be involved in football."
"I feel good. If an offer comes along which is the right one for me, and the club, then I shall be happy to take it," he said.
"Football is very much in the blood and part of my life, and when I am not actively involved I feel like some part of my life is not being fulfilled.
"I do realise ageism is a factor so it would be easier for me if I was 20 or 30 years younger, but age has never been something I've felt."
Hodgson said he was "fairly open" as to whether his next job in football came domestically or overseas.
"I have worked abroad for long periods of my life and I enjoyed it so I am not averse to moving abroad but I am not desperate to leave England either,'' he added.