Ashley Giles 'too close' to Kevin Pietersen to get England job

Ashley Giles and Kevin Pietersen

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen says one of the reasons Ashley Giles missed out on the job as England coach was because of their relationship.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) reappointed Peter Moores as coach to succeed Andy Flower in April.

Giles had previously been England's limited-overs coach under Flower.

"I thought he had it nailed. But sadly I think he was just too close to me for the ECB's liking," Pietersen, 33, wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.

"He had spoken too positively about me in Australia for the ECB to give him the job. It is a shame for both sides."

The ECB decided to unify the coaching position for all formats after Flower quit as team director following England's 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia.

But in April, former Warwickshire coach Giles lost out on the job to Moores, who led the national team between 2007 and 2009, and was sacked after being involved in a dispute with Pietersen, who lost the captaincy.

Surrey right-hander Pietersen was told in February this year he was no longer part of the national team's plans as England looked to rebuild for the future.

Pietersen also said in the column:

• England should not have appointed someone who had already been coach of the national team.

• That he "never had any issues" with Moores during their time as captain and coach.

• That his relationship with other players in the England side "was fine" and there were "no issues".

• But he was relieved "to be out of the dressing room" because "it was not a pleasant place in Australia".

Pietersen last month received an apology from the ECB and managing director Paul Downton following criticism of the batsman's attitude during the winter Ashes tour.