Former Red Sox Manager Terry Francona Won't Manage in 2012

Former Boston Red Sox skipper Terry Francona will not manage in 2012, CSN New England reports.

"I'm not going to try to manage next year,'' Francona told CSN New England by phone Wednesday, "for my benefit.''

Francona and the Red Sox parted ways this fall after the embattled manager led his team to a 7-20 record in the month of September. In doing so the team with the third highest payroll in 2011 blew a nine-game wild card lead in the last month of the season. It was later reported by the Boston Globe that the 2011 Red Sox were plagued with clubhouse issues, including reports that three of the team’s starting pitchers would drink beer and eat chicken in the locker room during nights in which they weren’t pitching.

The embattled manager had been rumored to fill the vacant managerial position with the Chicago Cubs, however Francona squashed any rumors that he might rejoin former Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein in Chicago with his remarks today. Francona also had reportedly interviewed for the Cardinals manager job, which was awarded to former catcher Mike Matheny last week.