The former Red Sox manager is coming out of retirement and returning to the dugout

Terry Francona enjoyed retirement, but apparently not as much as management.

A little more than a year after retiring from football, the 65-year-old Francona returns to the dugout. According to numerous reports, Francona was expected to be named the next manager of the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night. An announcement could come as early as Friday.

Francona, who led the Red Sox to championships in 2004 and 2007, led the Cleveland Guardians from 2013 until the end of the 2023 season, when he retired, citing health reasons in part for his decision. Francona was also worried that he no longer had the same energy that he used to have to cope with.

“It wasn’t what people expected, in my opinion,” Francona said last May while appearing on an episode of the TV series Fenway Rundown Podcast. “I’m still trying to figure out what part of the game I’ll miss and that’s okay because after 40 years you’re supposed to miss something. But I think I was ready for (retirement); That’s the thing I don’t know if people understand. All the things that make a productive manager became increasingly difficult. And I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. I didn’t want to be the same as before, it was kind of bitter – something like that.

“I actually thought it was a pretty good time to retire. If there are things I really miss, there are probably ways to stay busy without overdoing it… I definitely keep an eye on what the (Guardians) are doing. I always found myself putting on the baseball pack, seeing which game was close, and then watching the last few innings. And I really enjoyed it. But I don’t have that itch. I thought it through pretty thoroughly. I was prepared for it. I think it may have surprised people, but I was prepared to maybe not be quite as busy.”

In retirement, he spent much of his time playing golf, but also made public appearances and spoke to business groups.

Francona owns a record of 1,959-1,672 with three teams – the Red Sox (2004-2011), the Guardians (née Indians) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000).

He takes over from David Bell, who was fired by the Reds last week. Cincinnati finished fourth in the National League Central this year with a record of 77-85. Since 2013, the franchise has reached the postseason just once.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was the first to report Francona’s hiring.