Gary Kirsten rejected the chance to coach England because he would have been unable to pick Kevin Pietersen, according to reports.

The 46-year-old, who guided both India and South Africa to the world number one ranking in Test cricket, was reportedly high on a list of targets following Andy Flower's resignation in January.

Despite insisting that he was not interested in the role, The Mirror reports that Kirsten was sounded out about the possibility of being named the team's new head coach by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

However, Kirsten was believed to be put off the role due to the fact that he would have been unable to select Pietersen in any format of the game.

Pietersen was sacked in February after reports had suggested that his relationship with the team's hierarchy had deteriorated during the tour of Australia.