FORMER England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard has labelled Kevin Pietersen "a very bitter man" and does not see any way back for the 34-year-old in international cricket.

Pietersen, sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board eight months ago, has been highly critical of some of his former team-mates and former team director Andy Flower in his autobiography, which went on general sale on Thursday.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, the 34-year-old claimed he could yet return to international cricket - if ECB chairman Giles Clarke departed the scene - but Hoggard thinks that idea is fanciful.

"I think it's a little bit tit for tat," the Yorkshireman said of this week's war of words.

"I think he's a very bitter man. I think Kevin Pietersen wanted to get rid of Andy Flower when he was the captain as well, so I think there's a little bit of personal vindictiveness in there.

"But man-management is part of the skill of being a good leader and a good coach. If Andy Flower had been lacking and hadn't been able to rein in one of the best England players we've had in recent years, it's a very sad state of affairs."

Asked whether he thought there was a way back into the international fold for Pietersen, Hoggard replied on Sky Sports News: "No."

'KP: The Autobiography' includes Pietersen's account of a culture of ''bullying'' in the dressing room under Flower's regime and allegedly orchestrated largely by Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and Matt Prior.

Prior came in for most stinging criticism, tagged the "schoolyard bully who was also the teacher's pet".

Hoggard defended his former team-mate, saying: "His nickname is 'The Big Cheese'. He came from Sussex with the name 'The Big Cheese'.

"I've played a lot of cricket with Matt Prior. He's very much a team man, very much wants to win, demands high standards and wants to push everybody. I don't know if he's a bully - he does have high standards and wants everybody to achieve the best they can do."