Terry Francona Interviews For St. Louis Cardinals' Managerial Vacancy Tuesday

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Terry Francona Pulls Out Of Chicago Cubs Manager Search, Wants To Re-Energize

Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona did not entirely rule out a return to managing this year, but removed himself from consideration for the Chicago Cubs job, telling "The Waddle and Silva Show" on ESPN 1000 he needed to re-energize.

"I don't know that I can confirm that [report that he won't manage in 2012]," Francona said Wednesday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I talked to [CSNNE.com] this morning and what I told him was that I did interview in St. Louis. I really did want to. It was a genuine interest on my part. And then when I didn't get the job I thought it was necessary to step back and, 'Ok, what do I need to do?'

"I think that is, take a step back, take a deep breath, figure out what I do want to do, so when there is a next time -- and I hope there is -- I'll be refreshed and energized so you can do the job that's necessary. It's a tough job. At the end of every year, you're beat up. And at the end of this year, we were all beat up. To do the job right, you have to be all in, and that's how I feel right now."

Francona was a candidate to replace Tony LaRussa in St. Louis, but the Cardinals passed on Francona in favor of Mike Matheny. Francona was a candidate in Chicago before removing himself from the equation, saying he doubted he was the right person for the job.

"Me and Theo [Epstein] have talked to so much the past month," Francona said. "I think he knows how I feel, and I know he feels. Sometimes I just think as close as we are and we'll always be close, I'm not sure I was the right person for that job right now. You have to be all in, and it has to be the right fit and has to be right fit for them, too. Because of our relationship they were easy conversations.

"To do the job correctly you have to be ready to do it all day every day. I was genuinely excited about the St. Louis job, and when it didn't happen, it allowed me to step back and rethink and, 'Ok, what do I need to do now?' It's not anything like ... the Cubs job is one of the premiere jobs out there. With Theo and [GM Jed Hoyer] there, they're going to win. May not be tomorrow, but they're going to win."

Francona has been approached about broadcasting positions by multiple major networks and said he is intrigued by the possibility.

"I'm going to explore some things in broadcasting and see where it leads,'' he said. "It may be a way to stay in the game, enjoy it and also be able to step back and look at things.''

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Terry Francona A Candidate For St. Louis Cardinals' Manager Position

Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona could move from one successful franchise to another - the two-time World Series winner is a candidate to replace Tony LaRussa as manager of the World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report.

Francona is one of six known candidates who will interview for the position, joining Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo, Philadelphia Phillies minor league manager Ryne Sandberg, minor league manager Chris Maloney, minor league instructor Mike Matheny and Chicago White Sox coach Joe McEwing, according to the Post-Dispatch. Francona is the only known candidate with major league managing experience.

The Cardinals were expected to begin interviews Wednesday, Nov. 3. General manager John Mozeliak said the team will interview fewer than ten people, and is not entering the process with a favorite in mind.

Mozeliak hopes to hire the team's next manager by Nov. 14, when Major League Baseball's general manager meetings begin in Milwaukee, and insisted the team will hire a manager by Thanksgiving.

-- For more Red Sox coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Over the Monster. To follow the St. Louis managerial search, follow our StoryStream. 

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Terry Francona To Manage Next Year?

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Replacing Terry Francona: Looking At Potential Candidates For Red Sox

Terry Francona is gone, and he's not coming back. Now it's time for Theo Epstein and the front office to begin the search to find his replacement to manage the Boston Red Sox. But who's the right man for the job? There are a lot of good candidates.

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Terry Francona Leaves Red Sox, Thinks It's Time For 'A New Voice'

Terry Francona held his last press conference at Fenway Park on Saturday evening after it was announced earlier in the day that he would not return to manage the Boston Red Sox for a ninth season following the worst regular-season collapse in MLB history.

"The last month has been pretty tough," said Francona, whose team blew a nine-game lead in the month of September and missed the playoffs for the second straight season. "I think it's time for a new voice here. I was frustrated by some of my inabilities."

Francona, who won 744 games and two World Series titles in 1,296 games in Boston, talked about his struggles in the past month, along with those of the team, specifically the level of care for others on this team.

"I felt frustrated with my inability to reach some of the guys I have in the past," said Francona. "When things start to go, I wanted desperately for our guys to care about each other. I wasn't seeing that as much as I wanted."

While speculation was that ownership pushed Francona out the door, that simply wasn't the case. However, Francona would like to stay in baseball for as long as he can.

"It was my decision," Francona said. "I don't know what I want to do [next]. I know I want to stay in the game [of baseball]. I feel like I'm a better person because I was here. But it is a tough place to be the manager."

Francona had many great memories with the team, but none better than winning two titles, saying that his biggest and best memory with the Red Sox was watching the players jump on the pile after winning the World Series in 2004 and 2007. For Francona, it was all about seeing his players live out their dreams, and they did.

Naturally, Francona didn't like the way things ended in his Boston tenure, and feels responsible for the team's shortcomings (Boston finished with a 7-20 record in September).

"I actually feel like I let a lot of people down," said Francona. "It's my responsibility to get this done, and it didn't happen."

As for his replacement, Francona said that he hopes bench coach DeMarlo Hale gets a shot, telling reporters that he is an excellent manager in waiting and thinks he'll get a shot.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

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Official Statements Released By John Henry, Theo Epstein, Terry Francona

The Red Sox have officially parted ways with manager Terry Francona. All parties involved released a statement this afternoon regarding the situation:

FROM JOHN HENRY, TOM WERNER AND LARRY LUCCHINO ON BEHALF OF THE BOSTON RED SOX:

“We met with Terry Francona, Theo Epstein and Ben Cherington Friday morning to discuss the 2011 season, ways to improve the club in the future, and Tito’s status. During the meeting, Tito, Theo and Ben agreed that the Red Sox would benefit from an improved clubhouse culture and higher standards in several areas. Tito said that after eight years here he was frustrated by his difficulty making an impact with the players, that a different voice was needed, and that it was time for him to move on. After taking time to reflect on Tito’s sentiments, we agreed that it was best for the Red Sox not to exercise the option years on his contract.

We have enormous respect, admiration and appreciation for Tito and the job that he did for eight years, including two World Series Championship seasons and five playoff appearances. His poise during the 2004 post-season was a key factor in the greatest comeback in baseball history, and his place in Red Sox history will never be forgotten. We wish him only the best going forward.”

STATEMENT FROM THEO EPSTEIN:

“Tito and I didn’t know each other when he was hired eight years ago, but over time we developed not only a great working relationship but also a personal friendship that will always be important to both of us. He proved to be an unflappable leader for our major league club, displaying consistency, calmness, hard work, thoughtfulness, a sense of humor, and faith in the players even at the most difficult of times. Without Tito’s commitment over eight years, we would not be the organization we are today. Nobody at the Red Sox blames Tito for what happened at the end of this season; we own that as an organization. This year was certainly a difficult and draining one for him and for us. Ultimately, he decided that there were certain things that needed to be done that he couldn’t do after eight years here, and that this team would benefit from hearing a new voice. While this may be true, his next team will benefit more than it knows from hearing Tito’s voice. I will miss seeing Tito every day in the manager’s office, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best in their next chapter.”

STATEMENT FROM TERRY FRANONA:

“We met this morning to look back on the 2011 season and to consider the future of the Boston Red Sox, including my involvement with the club. I passed along my frustrations at my inability to effectively reach the players. After many conversations and much consideration, I ultimately felt that, out of respect to this team, it was time for me to move on. I’ve always maintained that it is not only the right, but the obligation, of ownership to have the right person doing this job. I told them that out of my enormous respect for this organization and the people in it, they may need to find a different voice to lead the team.

In my eight seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox, I have developed a tremendous appreciation for Red Sox Nation. This is a special place with some of the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in all of baseball. They packed Fenway Park for every game and because of them, I had a special sense of pride coming to work every day. I want to thank John, Tom, Larry and Theo for giving me the opportunity to manage this team through some of the most successful years in this franchise’s history. I wish the entire organization and all of Red Sox Nation nothing but the very best.”

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Red Sox Make It Official: Terry Francona Out As Manager

First he was, then he wasn’t, now he is again. The Red Sox have officially parted ways with manager Terry Francona according to a report from the Boston Globe.

General manager Theo Epstein told the media in a statement earlier today that no decision had been made on the fate of Francona and that they would take some time to evaluate the situation. Apparently, all that was needed was a few more hours.

Francona has been the manager of the Sox since the magical 2004 season when he replaced Grady Little. He was on the bench for the franchises first two World Series titles since 1918 and was one of the most successful managers in franchise history.

This season was a difficult one for the man known as “Tito”. He acknowledged that he didn’t have a great season from a player management aspect and often looked stressed and worried in the dugout as the team collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

Francona’s final record as manager of the Sox will stand at 774-552. There was no word on when the search would begin for a new manager or how long it would take.

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Theo Epstein, Red Sox To Take 'Some Time To Process' Terry Francona

Theo Epstein, general manager of the Boston Red Sox, released a statement on Friday afternoon regarding the team's manager, Terry Francona, who will reportedly leave the team after reports surfaced that the team declined his option.

Despite rumors flying around Francona's job certainty, Epstein declined to comment on it.

"John Henry, Tom Werner, Larry Lucchino, Ben Cherington and I met with Terry Francona this morning at Fenway Park to exchange thoughts and information on the 2011 season and discuss areas for improvement going forward. We all plan on taking some time to process the thoughts expressed in the meeting. There are no immediate plans for an announcement." (via RedSox.com)

Reports earlier in the day indicated that Francona was essentially pushed out the door by team principal owner John Henry, who informed Francona that the club would not be bringing him back. The meeting between Francona, Epstein, Henry, Lucchino and Cherrington reportedly began at 10 a.m. on Friday.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

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Terry Francona Reportedly Expected To Leave Boston Red Sox

It appears that Terry Francona has managed his last game for the Boston Red Sox. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that, according to a major league source, Francona is expected to leave the team as soon as Friday.

Terry Francona will meet with Red Sox management on Friday morning, and the expected resolution is that he no longer will be the team's manager, major league sources say. While Francona's departure is not certain, it is the likely outcome, in part because he is pressing for a resolution, sources say. He would not be fired; the Red Sox would simply decline their club options on him for 2012 and '13.

Rosenthal writes that the Chicago Cubs could be a potential landings spot for Francona, as he played for the franchise in 1986, or he could potentially not manage at all next season.

Francona has a record of 1,029-915 in 12 seasons as a manager and is 744-552 in eight years at the helm of the Red Sox. Prior to his time in Boston, Francona had a record of 648-285 in four seasons managing the Philadelphia Phillies. During his tenure in Boston, Francona has won two World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

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Terry Francona's Job In Jeopardy After Monumental Boston Red Sox Collapse

Terry Francona may have managed his last game for the Boston Red Sox. Francona, who was at the helm of the Red Sox during their historic September collapse that saw them miss the playoffs again, is 744-552 in eight years in Boston.