London, Jan 7: England captain Kevin Pietersen and cricket coach Peter Moores could be sacked after Hugh Morris was handed the mandate to sort out the civil war ripping the English team apart.

The England and Wales Cricket Board called an emergency meeting of its executive board on Tuesday night and the support has shifted from backing the captain to making changes at the top of the national team's management structure, The Telegraph reported.

Moores seems certain to lose his job, and Pietersen's position is in major jeopardy with Andrew Strauss the most likely candidate to become England's third captain in five months.

The ECB hierarchy is believed to be angered by the fact that the pair's differences have been aired in public.

Senior ECB figures were thought to be behind the captain at the start of this crisis, but it appears Morris' report has shifted the emphasis.

Morris is a long time supporter of the coach, who has struggled to make the step up from county to international cricket, and he was told on Tuesday evening by the ECB to take whatever action he sees fit.

The ECB will hold further meetings on Wednesday morning to discuss the legal ramifications of removing either Moores, or Pietersen, or both.

It seems highly unlikely that Moores will be able to survive the current crisis following the unprecedented public examination of his record and relationship with the England captain.

Moores will pay the price for a poor return of results; he has lost four out of the seven Test series since inheriting the England's coach's job from Duncan Fletcher 18 months ago.

Morris has canvassed opinion among the England team and backroom staff, and it seems Pietersen does not have the wholesale backing of either the players or the coaches.

It appears the coaching staff has remained loyal to Moores, while some players have been angered by Pietersen's perceived role in undermining the coach, the paper said.

Pietersen will return from his holiday on Thursday and even if he clings on to his job he will be left in no doubt by the ECB that results must improve if he is to lead England during next year's Ashes series. (ANI)