Alex Cora declined the Philadelphia Phillies' managerial job offer just days after being fired by the Boston Red Sox, choosing to spend time with his family instead.
Key points
Alex Cora was fired by the Boston Red Sox.
He was offered the Phillies' managerial job but declined.
Cora chose to spend time with his family instead.
The Phillies promoted Don Mattingly after Cora's decision.
Cora is expected to sit out the rest of the season.
Mentioned in this story
Boston Red SoxPhiladelphia PhilliesAlex CoraDon MattinglyRob Thomson
Alex Cora, who was fired Saturday by the Boston Red Sox, was officially offered the Philadelphia Phillies managerial job on Monday afternoon but rejected it, two persons with direct knowledge of the decision told USA TODAY Sports, instead deciding to instead spend time with his family.
They spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Cora, whoās in the second year of a three-year, $21.75 million contract, is expected to sit out now for the rest of the season. When asked if he plans to stay home the rest of the summer, Cora said in a text message to USA TODAY Sports:Ā āFull-time dad."
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
Q&A
Why did Alex Cora turn down the Phillies' managerial job?
Alex Cora turned down the Phillies' managerial job to spend more time with his family.
What was Alex Cora's contract situation with the Red Sox?
Alex Cora was in the second year of a three-year, $21.75 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Who did the Phillies promote after Cora declined the job?
After Cora declined the job, the Phillies promoted bench coach Don Mattingly to be their manager.
What happened to Rob Thomson after the Phillies' managerial changes?
Rob Thomson was fired by the Philadelphia Phillies prior to their decision to promote Don Mattingly.
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The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
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The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
2 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
3 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
4 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
5 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
6 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
7 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
8 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
9 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
10 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
11 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
12 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
13 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
14 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
15 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
16 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
17 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
18 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio SuƔrez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
19 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
20 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
21 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
Coraās decision leads to the first father/son, GM/manager combination in baseball history with Preston Mattingly Does that make Don Mattingly the the first manager who has ever spanked his GM?
Chad Tracy, 45, who replaced Cora, and Mattingly, 65, will be given the opportunity to manage their new teams for the rest of the season before a decision is made whether they will be kept past this year.
Here's a look at some of the top managerial candidates, for the rest of this season and beyond:
Alex Cora
Cora, who managed the Red Sox for eight years and led them to the 2018 World Series title, is the manager everyone wants. Heās widely considered one of the finest in the game, and since heās being paid by the Red Sox through 2027, can be acquired at a bit of a discount.
Cora likely will be offered the Philliesā job again at the end of the season, and perhaps the New York Metsā job even sooner. Yet, since he informed the Phillies that he wanted to take time off, he likely would give the same answer to the Mets. This would leave the Mets likely turning to bench coach Kai Correa for the rest of the season if they part ways with Mendoza.
Brandon Hyde
He was the American League Manager of the Year in 2023 after leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 101-victory season. Yet, he was fired last year after they got off to a 15-28 start. Heās also working in Tampa as a special assistant.
He was actually hired to manage the Mets after the 2019 season, but fired before he managed a game because of his role with the Houston Astrosā 2017 cheating scandal. Currently a special assistant with the Mets, he could become the first manager in MLB history to have to take time off in his first year to attend his own Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Pujols could have been the Los Angeles Angelsā manager this year, but his contract demands and request for personnel changes led the Angels to instead turning to Kurt Suzuki on a one-year contract. He also finished runner-up to Craig Stammen for the San Diego Padresā job.
Rocco Baldelli
Baldelli, 44, whoās working as a special assistant for the Dodgets, led the Minnesota Twins to three postseason berths in seven years. Heās also a native of New England and would be a natural candidate in Boston.
Ross, a two-time World Series champion as a player, played for the Red Sox and managed the Cubs for four years, leading the Cubs to an 83-79 record his final season. He was fired only because Craig Counsell became available. Heās working for ESPN these days but is itching to return.
Just like Pujols, another future Hall of Famer. Heās widely considered one of the greatest defensive catchers in history, with a brilliant baseball mind. The only real question with Molina is whether he would have the patience to deal with the media twice a day.
Omar LĆ³pez
He is currently the Astrosā bench coach, but his stock soared after leading Team Venezuela to the WBC championship. If the Astros fire Espada, heās the natural successor.
Rob Thomson
If someone wants a veteran manager, at least for the interim, Thomson owns the highest winning percentage (.568) in Phillies franchise history and guided them to four postseason appearances in four years. Heās only the fourth manager in MLB history to reach the postseason in each of his first four seasons.
The Phillies were 9-19 when he was fired, but he shouldnāt be blamed for Philliesā offense to go AWOL, their rotation hitting the skids, and the defense becoming erratic.