MLB Rumors: Insider Names Early Favorite to Be Phillies Manager in 2027

TL;DR

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thompson after a poor start and promoted Don Mattingly as interim manager. Alex Cora declined the opportunity to manage the Phillies, preferring to remain with the Boston Red Sox while receiving his contract pay.

Key points

Phillies fired manager Rob Thompson after a 9-19 start
Don Mattingly is the interim manager
Alex Cora turned down the Phillies job to keep his Red Sox contract

Mentioned in this story

Rob ThompsonDon MattinglyAlex Cora

Philadelphia PhilliesBoston Red Sox

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thompson following a 9-19 start to the season, promoting Don Mattingly to take over as interim skipper. While the organization’s focus is now centered on the remainder of the season, there’s been lots of buzz about who will be the manager next season.

Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported earlier this week that, days after being fired by the Boston Red Sox, Alex Cora turned down an opportunity to replace Thomson in Philadelphia.

Cora, age 50, is still owed the remainder of his contract by Boston. Accepting the opportunity to become the next Phillies manager would’ve resulted in the Red Sox being off the hook for paying him. As a result, Cora is taking the time off so his former employer keeps paying him.

Mattingly would seemingly be an option to retain the position next season with Philadelphia. After all, this same organization gave Thomson the full-time role after he posted a 65-46 record with 11 postseason wins as interim skipper during the 2022 MLB season.

However, Mattingly just turned 65 years old this past month and his previously stints as manager don’t suggest he’s a great long-term option. Since the Los Angeles Dodgers parted ways with him in 2025, Mattingly has posted a 447-587 (.432) record across 1,034 regular-season games entering May 2 and his clubs have never won 80 games in a year.