London, Jan. 22: England batting coach Andy Flower has claimed that former captain Kevin Pietersen wanted to remove him along with Peter Moores.

As England flew to the Caribbean yesterday, rumors were in circulation that Flower was known to be one of the targets of Pietersen''s campaign to alter England''s coaching methods.

When asked by The Independent whether he knew that Pietersen had wanted him sacked, Flower said: "I think that is the case. I have had a chat with Kevin. I think Kevin did want a regime change but I haven''t gone into specifics with him on that front."

"Kevin and I have always had a good relationship. I don''t know whether the southern Africa thing helps but, we have always had a very good, honest relationship and I don''t see that changing," he added.

There was general dismay when it emerged that Pietersen wanted Flower, a great batsman for Zimbabwe in his day, to be sacked.

It seemed to be confirmation that Pietersen wanted everything his own way.

Flower said: "We all have our differences and you aren''t going to always to be buddy-buddy with people, that goes for Kevin and I and a lot of other people when you''re trying to prod people to improve. You don''t necessarily have to get on perfectly."

Flower is still anxious for his title not to change.

"I''m not sure. I will play it by ear a little, see how the next month goes," he said.

He might be in a prime position to stake a claim for the top job but, considering his first coaching role after retiring as a player was as Moores'' assistant, the England and Wales Cricket Board may feel it is essential to spread its net wider.

He has suggested that he was taken unawares by the imbroglio between Pietersen and Moores which led to the exit of both. (ANI)